Top end rebuild/performance upgrade questions??

[DerrickfromNC1]

67 delux bus we purchased a year ago came with a stock 1600 of unknown history. It ran pretty good all fall with the exception of fouling plugs(solex not properly adjusted, & 009) and serious oil leaks at the pushrods tubes, so while I got it out I'm redoing the top end as follows:

AA thickwall 88s slip in the case
L3 heads or Kaddyshack KS1000s
40 idfs or 36 dells
1.25 rockers
Tri mill exhaust with j-tubes.....maybe 1-3/8 sidewinder if available
Inlet/outlet 26mm oil pump(CB Perf)

What do you think of the above upgrades?
Also when I pull the heads and measure the deck height on the current 85s can I assume that deck height will be the same with the AA 88s? The reason I ask is because both Aircooled.net and Kaddyshack ask what cc would you like on your heads in order to dial in my desired c.r....8.25-8.75 range. This way I can order everything at once rather than the p/c 1st then the heads later after I figure the deck height.
Or better yet perhaps someone can recommend head cc to get me within my c.r. range!

Thanks

[[email protected]]

the head CC is independent to the deck height. So order the heads with the TARGET CR AND DH that you are aiming for. Then use the shims to achieve that DH.

Running some quick #s, to get 8.5:1 and .060" DH you need 47cc.

I like to see heads with bigger chambers than that (for use on bigger engine in future).

51cc goes to 8:1 exactly.

If you also tighten DH to .040" and 51cc, you get 8.3:1.
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[vugbug68]

I used the AA 88's in the past and remember they had less deck than stock 85.5's. .035 - .040" if I recall. Each engine is different though and you need to mock up and measure.
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71 Super - Backroad Thrasher
66 Corvair - Weekend Cruiser
90 4 Runner - Muddin

[[email protected]]

I'd order the P&Cs and do a quick mock up to check the current DH, then you'll know where you are at.

The reason is what are you going to do if you order everything at once, and then during your mock up you find your deck height is .090"?
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It's just advice, do whatever you want with it!

Please do NOT send me Private Messages through the Samba PM System (I will not see them). Send me an e-mail to john at aircooled dot net

"Like" our Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/vwpartsaircoolednet
and get a 5% off code for use on one order for VW Parts ON OUR PARTS STORE WEBSITE, vwparts.aircooled.net

[clonebug]

My deck on an untouched AE case with .010 cylinder shim and 88 AA's is .062
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[DerrickfromNC1]

Just pulled the heads and 1600p/c off this engine and there is a lot oil and grime buildup above and below the cylinders. I plan to clean up this area as well as the entire shortblock. Some degreaser and water will get into the motor....will this be a problem?
What's the best way to cleanup a shortblock that you just want to rebuild the topend?

[MURZI]

The thickwall 88(AA'S) I built last had .054 deck out of the box. I added 49cc heads...8.3:1. Done

link...http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=519555&highlight=thickwalls
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62 vert
2276
Tim’s welded heads
45 Dells
A1 sidewinder
Fk44 cam

[vwracerdave]

A gasket kit is only $25. I would tear the block apart and clean everything.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK

[DerrickfromNC1]

Sense there are no experienced VW machine shops near me which method would you choose to get fullflow.
This
http://vwparts.aircooled.net/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=3059

or

http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=1798

Thanks

[Alstrup]

Tight deck and 8,3 - 1 CR is what I would do on such engine.
36 Dells.
That FF thing is nice. HOWEVER, it reduces the efficiency of the stock cooler, because the oil bypasses more. Then you need a relatively large external cooler to make up for that.

T

[Alstrup]

I never liked the in/out filter. They always seem to leak a lot.

Use this: http://vwparts.aircooled.net/CB-26mm-Maxi-2-Filter-Oil-Pumps-1791-1792-p/1791-1792.htm

Then if you need extra cooling you can use a sandwich thermostat along with one of his super short filters, and still have room for stock heaterboxes.

T

[vugbug68]

Correct me if I'm wrong but with the Maxi pumps not all of the oil gets filtered, some oil can bypass the filter. I never trusted those style pumps
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71 Super - Backroad Thrasher
66 Corvair - Weekend Cruiser
90 4 Runner - Muddin

[mark tucker]

it's a bus ,I would ff it.add a ext cooler,use a 30mm pump, go throught the entire engine or you are wasting time&$$ get the right cam&lifter combo for the app.I would also go with the 40 hpmx's.there new..040 deck+-.005 . 40x35 stainless valves.8.5 cr. extra oil gally&sloted lifter bores. fully balanced assy, groove mains for better oiling. copper head gadgets,if it were mine i would also add some stroke to help push that bus around easyer.

[DerrickfromNC1]

Mark...my original intent was to just take care of some oil leaks that required removal of the heads and get in a few upgrades like heads and carbs that could be reused in a small stroker(74 x 90.5) that I'll build this winter along with the installation of a new wire harness.
Just completed a 4 wheel disc brake conversion using Porsche 944 parts, converted to IRS beetle rear suspension and tranny and installed a Womack 4" adjustable front beam. The wife says shes spent a lot of $$$ on this bus and she's ready to ride. The $3000 plus dollars it will take to build a proper engine like the one you discribed will be done when the bus goes back in the garage in Nov.
Working 10-12hr work days, maintaining a yard, and visiting elderly relatives on weekends means anything I do to the bus that could be done in a day turns into a couple of weeks.....just want to make the wife happy so she can enjoy it while the weather is nice.

[jfats808]

What I would do is clean the shortblock and mock up #1 cylinder. Then I'd go with 50cc/.050 for 8.3cr. Send in your cylinder to get milled if necessary. Have a chance to take a look at what cam is in there yet?
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2276 IDA's 86C 11-1 DD !
2017 48 Trijet DRLA's W125

[DerrickfromNC1]

[MURZI]

40x35's on that combo will be a mistake.... I have built this combo a couple of times. (once with 40x35's) The stock valves will give you much more lower end grunt. The engine will be way more snappy with stock valves. trust me......
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62 vert
2276
Tim’s welded heads
45 Dells
A1 sidewinder
Fk44 cam

[DerrickfromNC1]

[MURZI]

So with stock cam and 1.25's..... 415ish lift. .315x1.31 This screams stock head to me. No bottom end. Not what you want in a bus.

If you are going to build a bigger engine later, buy the heads for THAT engine based on ITS cam, compression, purpose.
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62 vert
2276
Tim’s welded heads
45 Dells
A1 sidewinder
Fk44 cam

[udidwht]

Those AA's come with valve pockets?
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1972 Westy Hardtop/Type-4 2056cc
96mm Biral AA P/C's~7.8:1CR
Headflow Masters New AMC 42x36mm heads w/Porsche swivel adjusters
71mm Stroke
73 Web Cam w/Web solids
Dual 40mm IDF Webers - LM-2 - 47.5 idles/125 mains/190 air corr./F11 tubes/28mm Vents - Float height 10.45mm/Drop 32mm
Bosch SVDA w/Pertronix module (7.5 initial 28 total @ 3400rpm)
Bosch W8CC plugs
Pertronix Flamethrower 40K coil
S&S 4-1 w/Walker QP 17862
3 rib 002 Trans
185R14 Hankook tires