My Near "Bastard" Engine

[VW Vet]

[bastardbus]

[ToolBox]

[VW Vet]

This cylinder was removed from the engine shown in the first post of this thread. It was in position #3. The other cylinders do not have the narrowed section like this one.

Has anyone seen this type? What is the purpose of the reduced diameter area and how long were they issued?

[BarryL]

My original 40 horse pistons all had that. I was told by VW parts guys it was a gas trap and to make sure the copper seals were installed accurately. Apparently it helps it cool at the hot end of the stroke? It sure was hard getting the seals aligned and even seeing them in place.

[VW Vet]

Here is a head removed from the engine in this thread. It is a bastard head, but I suspect it is a 2nd generation. The little chamber over the rocker box has no holes leading into the rocker box, and there is no provision for bolting on a separate cover for the little chamber, as pictured in the Bentley manual. I would bet the original intent of the chamber was to vent the crankcase/rocker box. The little cover and holes into the rocker box seem to have disappeared in January '60 when the #2 main bearing web was cut to improve crankcase internal pressure equalization. The now unused chamber went away in June '61.

[EverettB]

Here is a reference photo of the Bastard distributor:


This one seems a bit strange given that it has a date code of 4P (April, 1958) and the wire instead of solid clips.
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[hazetguy]

here's a bastard fuel pump i have. notice how the fuel outlet line sticks straight up, and the casting where the tube enters is not tapped with a block-off screw. some early 40hp pumps have a vertical outlet that looks similar, but with a bent pipe, and that casting boss has a screw in it, maybe for cleaning it out?.

i saw an NOS bastard case at a show over the summer, and it was pretty interesting. it did not have that weird webbing under the distributor down the side. HUGE main seal area, 36hp sized main bearing holes. cool.

[crofty]

[bastardbus]

Well, VW vet and myself have been pooling information and plan on adding a ton of info to this thread. Very interesting stuff and most of it very contrary to the old wive's tales told about Bastard engines.

Just for a taste, looks like there was 3 styles of bastard case. The first being the flawed thrust at #2 design the 2 others had the thrust at #1 and problems mostly solved. This is probably the reason for several existing bastard engines still running and in good shape.

More detailed info to come!
Todd

[Russ Wolfe]

My heads left last Friday for VW Vet. I hope they are what he was looking for.
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[VW Vet]

Here is some more info about the Bastard Engine.

[vdubinit]

i have a bastard motor and it runs cherry i havent had any problems with it yet opps knock on wood
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[bastardbus]

[VW Vet]

I neglected to give credit to bastardbus for the picture of the 1st generation bastard head. Also, the pictures of the 3rd generation bastard head are of one of the two Russ Wolfe sent me. After cleaning and inspection, they are almost like new. No need for a valve job or valve guide replacement. Just a little lapping compound is all they will need. Thanks, Russ. I will have to do some research into the valve seat/lead free gas issue, though.

[splitpile]

[Michael Fischer]

[skyto]

How about these then: a pair of 113 101 371 heads with later style valve covers, without chambers below manifold. Otherwise they are similar to 40hp heads except for cylinder openings: 87mm instead of 90mm.

Perhaps a 4th generation replacement for the bastard heads?

[crofty]

[skyto]