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Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:53 am

Hi all! I'm struggling to find piston rings for my '59 Beetle. The engine is a stock 36hp.

Most suppliers are out of stock. Wolsfsburg West said the aftermarket rings didn't always fit the aftermarket pistons so he's not stocking the rings and would prefer to sell me new pistons/rings/cylinders as a set.

A seller on Samba classifieds was good enough to clarify that he had part 111 198 257B (40hp) and that he would try to find 111 198 257A (36hp) for me if he could. Another seller has 111 198 257 and is certain that this is the correct set for both 36hp and 40hp. Meanwhile, some parts suppliers seem to distinguish between 36hp and 40hp rings and some don't.

Clarification? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance for all the great you've provided me and all my friends in the past! What a difference from the old days!

Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:29 am

The 36hp and 40hp rings are the same diameter, same size piston. Check the thickness of the ones you have and ask the retailer to verify they are the same and you should be good. There might be some 40hp pistons out there with thicker rings, but not larger diameter.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:39 am

ring size is different 2mm vs 2.5mm :cry:

Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:06 am

Here is a link to a website with 36 hp engine parts that i got my rings from and also a gasket kit...

http://www.aircooledresearch.com/

Send him a PM first on here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=16277

Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:49 am

I bought a set of rings when I rebuilt my 36hp. Part # 111 198 157A.

When installing them, I had one of the second groove rings snap and I ended up having to buy a second set just for that one ring. I have that set of rings in my hand right now and the part # is 111 198 157A.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:49 pm

60ragtop wrote: ring size is different 2mm vs 2.5mm :cry:
Maybe, but maybe not. That is why you should measure. Here are photos of 40hp and 36hp pistons and cylinders side by side. They have the same width rings, 2.5mm.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:29 pm

duginabug wrote: ....When installing them, I had one of the second groove rings snap and I ended up having to buy a second set just for that one ring.

Dug, all...

Should you need one ring, or just one hole. These guys will hook you up.

http://www.totalseal.com/

Jeff

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:33 pm

replaced the rings in my 58s 36hp with rings from Hastings . the company I work for Melling Tool Co. just purchased the company a year ago . they fit good and so far have worked good .

Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:25 am

old_n_slo wrote: duginabug wrote: ....When installing them, I had one of the second groove rings snap and I ended up having to buy a second set just for that one ring.

Dug, all...

Should you need one ring, or just one hole. These guys will hook you up.

http://www.totalseal.com/

Jeff

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: Please tell me I did something wrong here http://www.totalseal.com/PartDetails.aspx?From=Application.

I went to http://www.totalseal.com/ and looked up the one ring that's missing from my set and :shock: HOLY CRAP :shock: $100.94 *****for one ring?

What did I do wrong here?

Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:26 pm

the whole set only cost $25.00 thru hasting for your 36hp. if you still need I can get you a set at cost for you which will be cheaper . jeffro

Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:31 pm

Dug

That is for a whole engine set with the gapless 2nd rings, not 1 ring, the set you need is quite a bit less.

Mike