TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:52 pm

I am going to try rebuilding my engine. I am a n00b & I fully realize I may not be about to complete it. I want to learn & I want the experience. I will be using these as a guide:

1. John Muir's Book
2. How to Rebuild Your Volkswagen air-Cooled Engine (All models, 1961 and up)
3. Bug Me video
4. You guys

What else do you suggest? I realize that my one video tool doesn't include a Type III.

Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:56 pm

Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:58 pm

Yeah, I forgot the Bentley manual. I do have the Haynes that I failed to mention.
I think the first tool I'm going to need is a rake.

Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:13 pm

Also, I really like this guy's videos (most of which you must change from 360 to 240 quality to watch)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6x8IS-q_0&lis...plpp_video

Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:27 am

SJVWCC Jack founder;

http://www.sjvwc.net/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=2

Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:03 pm

HoldenMyOwn wrote: think the first tool I'm going to need is a rake.
Very Good! :lol:

I found the Tom Wilson (How to rebuild...) book to be a very useful reference for my first rebuild. The bottom end of a type-3 is essentially identical to the type-1.

Max

Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:38 pm

Were doin the same thing just on opposite ends of the country. I recently pulled my engine out for service, it had been consuming more and more oil then i constantly noticed a white cloud of smoke following me and that persuaded me i should probably poke around in there. So now its out and disassembled, and after reading the bentley manual, haynes, etc, and numerous youtube videos i have a question. I have it torn down, but not the block. My problem was leaking oil, and since my oil cooler was pitch black, there was oil outside of the seals and around the one bolt ontop of the case when i removed the cooler i figured the seals failed or something in the cooler that leaked oil. Cause theres oil everywhere. But i found an interesting video on youtube where someone rebuilt their vdub, put it back together only to have a leak where their case met ontop. I have noticed what looks like dried oil where my case meets and am terrified of putting my car back together and thats where it was leaking from. So i suppose im asking is it more common for the oil cooler to be my problem or since im this far in it why stop now?? Any help would be much appreciated...

Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:42 am

vdubb7277 wrote: Were doin the same thing just on opposite ends of the country. I recently pulled my engine out for service, it had been consuming more and more oil then i constantly noticed a white cloud of smoke following me and that persuaded me i should probably poke around in there. So now its out and disassembled, and after reading the bentley manual, haynes, etc, and numerous youtube videos i have a question. I have it torn down, but not the block. My problem was leaking oil, and since my oil cooler was pitch black, there was oil outside of the seals and around the one bolt ontop of the case when i removed the cooler i figured the seals failed or something in the cooler that leaked oil. Cause theres oil everywhere. But i found an interesting video on youtube where someone rebuilt their vdub, put it back together only to have a leak where their case met ontop. I have noticed what looks like dried oil where my case meets and am terrified of putting my car back together and thats where it was leaking from. So i suppose im asking is it more common for the oil cooler to be my problem or since im this far in it why stop now?? Any help would be much appreciated...

Can you post a picture of the top of the case and 1 of the cooler?

Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:01 am

For those doing their first engine rebuild, you might consider having a shop do the work inside the case. You avoid a lot of pitfalls and still learn how the thing is put together.

While the shop does the internal work, you keep busy cleaning and finding new bolts and bits that may have been missing or damaged. You get peace of mind you won't blow for lack of oil pressure or have a bearing issue, but you still learn everything else-- most road trouble comes from all the little bits, not internally, so you wil learn all about the things that will make your car reliable.

If you have done the R&R and stripping/reassembly, the case work is relatively cheap.

Wed Feb 29, 2012 9:05 am

the Jim martin engine build article is good.

and there is the performance 101 section on superbeetles.com

Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:19 pm

There was alot of oil under the oil cooler when i removed it, but where the case meets is what im concerned about...The oil coolers covered in dirt and oil, a new one is on the way, along with new heater boxes and gaskets

Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:22 pm

And heres the complete engine, everythings black with dirt and oil...

Sat Mar 03, 2012 5:44 am

Dont be afraid of building the short block. I built my first vw engine and everyone since then. Barely knew what a wrench was when I started. Just get a friend that has built one to guide you and open up the john muir book. So many vw people will tear right in to a top end job but are terrified of the bottom end. I have one buddy that has been building vws for 15 years and until last year had never built a bottom end. Once he did it once he said it was a peice of cake. Make sure EVERYTHING is clean and take your time. Get you machine work done with someone experienced with vw.

Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:06 pm

vdubb7277 wrote:
And heres the complete engine, everythings black with dirt and oil...

That doesn't look out of normal for an engine with some miles on it. It looks like the cylinders had been leaking for some time, as was the push rod tubes and the oil cooler seals. Once cleaned up, the case is probably fine.

Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:21 pm

I was gonna say -- I dont see anything obviously wrong or leaking terribly from the case on that engine. looks like normal high mileage crust.

I think you probably had blow, wrong, or dried out oil seals that were leaking. just replace them with the right kind, dont over tighten, and you should be fine.

Sun Mar 04, 2012 7:35 pm

Fixing to start on the 72 FB as soon as I get the case back. Plus the guy doing that is also trying to get me a pair of heads (both of mine were cracked around the SP hole). Looks like you are just on the other side of the state from me. I'm in NE Alabama.

Sun Mar 04, 2012 7:46 pm

dad23boys wrote: Looks like you are just on the other side of the state from me. I'm in NE Alabama.

Yup. Just down the road. Best of luck with the engine build. Keep us updated on the progress.

Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:26 pm

HoldenMyOwn wrote: dad23boys wrote: Looks like you are just on the other side of the state from me. I'm in NE Alabama.

Yup. Just down the road. Best of luck with the engine build. Keep us updated on the progress.

I will. We'll be looking forward to see your progress as well. :D

Mon Mar 05, 2012 11:41 pm

Looks like my heater boxes need to be replaced, i keep looking online with growing concern. Jbugs has what looks like them but doesnt list the type 3 as a fit. Also the oil cooler i ordered says it fits type 1 and 2, though it has the same amount of fins. Any ideas?
Also just wanted to thank anyone who responded to my posts, this noob appreciates all the help he can get..

Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:20 am

the type 3 cooler will have the threaded boss for the oil pressure sender, if it doesn't it's a type 1!