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Thu Mar 20, 2025 3:38 pm

This engine was rebuilt 10k miles ago, runs flawlessly. This endplay gives me a bad feeling, I think deep down I already know I will need to open this thing up. My main concern is that this engine is the original one, so I don't want to destroy the case if I can prevent it. What do you think based off the video?
https://youtu.be/WJSVcIC0Cgo

Thu Mar 20, 2025 3:43 pm

Yes, you need to investigate.

Remove the engine and then the flywheel. Try pushing the #1 thrust bearing in, toward the pulley. Keep the tool on the bearing and have someone else push the pulley in and see if you can feel the bearing move. If so then the thrust is bad. If it doesn't move then remeasure the endplay and install the correct shims.

Thu Mar 20, 2025 7:17 pm

Well shit. I’ll get on that, thanks.

Sun Mar 23, 2025 2:25 pm

I took the engine apart. Does anything immediately stand out to any of you?

Sun Mar 23, 2025 6:56 pm

\What looks wrong in these pics?

The bearing says "std", but I doubt that would be true.
The crank looks reground to me, from lack of undercut/rolled raduis and too nice for being how old it should be, and the rust pitting on it around the edges, isn't normal unless it was reground.

Doubt it ran a thousand miles since rebuild.

Yes you can run a .010 under crank in standard bearings, lives longer than you'd think, tho it does have a lot of rumble and not much oil pressure.
But then again I never trust any stamps on things I just measure the size if allowed to touch it as that's what I was trained to do. Just second nature can't really stop myself anymore.

It looks very clean, so whoever built it last did a good job of getting all the parts clean.

Tho from all the oxidation on the journals it looks like it sat for 5+ years between being line bored and assembled, which is fine really. Old cars survive due to not being used, and not being assembled is a great way to prevent wearing out :P

here is a pic of a STD crank, with rolled radius very visible on all journals
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/10080179.jpg

Mon Mar 24, 2025 2:09 pm

I was reading the Tom Wilson book and it says it's a great idea to have the case machine for cam bearings. But none of the people in my area have the tool for that. not sure how crucial that is to my particular case.

Also my lifters got mixed up. I have them on their correct sides of the case they came from, but the order is mixed up. Does that matter, or do I need to buy a new cam and lifters now?