| Author |
Message |
Hayden74SB
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2025
Posts: 12
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2025 9:38 pm Post subject: Engine parts |
 |
|
What suppliers are recommended to get the best mix of lower cost without too much sacrifise to quality?
We are doing a top-end overhaul of our new to us 73 Super Beetle. This is primarily to fix some significant oil leaks including at the base of jugs #1 and #3. We also are doing it to give my Son-in-law some hands-on wrenching to learn more about how these things work.
Other than the oil leaks, the engine ran well. We checked the warm engine compression and got the following results.
#1 – 140psi
#2 – 135psi
#3 – 144psi
#4 – 145psi
Are these pressures normal or is this higher than a stock engine should have. FYI, I forgot to hold the throttle open when testing.
After pulling the cylinders, I checked the conn rods for play and could not feel any. The oil was pretty black but there was no sign of any metal or grit.
We would prefer to not split the case if not necessary. Is this a fools errand? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 80390
Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
| Posted: Yesterday 6:21 am Post subject: Re: Engine parts |
|
|
All you need is a gasket set... with that compression. Just keep pistons with the cylinders.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
baldessariclan
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016
Posts: 2185
Location: Wichita, KS
|
| Posted: Yesterday 9:46 am Post subject: Re: Engine parts |
|
|
| Hayden74SB wrote: |
| What suppliers are recommended to get the best mix of lower cost without too much sacrifise to quality? |
It's the old "good, quick, cheap -- pick any two" sort of deal. You'll have to decide which aspects are the most important to you, and then choose accordingly.
If you're primarily wanting "quick & cheap", vendors like "JBugs", "Cip1" and similar are very popular. Just don't expect all the stuff they send you to fit right, work right, and/or last long -- caveat emptor...
If you prefer "quick & good", some reputable options to consider are vendors like "Wolfsburg West", "West Coast Metric" (for rubber & seals), "Bug City", "VWNOS", Samba classifieds, etc. Be prepared for eye-watering prices in some cases though -- "buy once, cry once"...
Finally, if "good & cheap" are your game, then sources like swap meets, Samba classifieds, eBay sellers, small local shops & junkyards, etc. can all be viable opportunities. You need to know what you're looking for and at to get good deals on reasonable/high quality parts, though. And of course be willing to invest the necessary time + effort to wait for / search out good prospects.
_________________
1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver
baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bobs67vwagen
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2005
Posts: 869
Location: Eastern north carolina
|
| Posted: Yesterday 9:51 am Post subject: Re: Engine parts |
|
|
| If you are just resealing everything, cip1 has a complete Eleing German gasket set with flywheel seal(you want the orange one so ask if that is the one included) for around 30 dollars. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pondoras box
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004
Posts: 1897
Location: Warren, PA
|
| Posted: Yesterday 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Engine parts |
|
|
Just use some sealant, not RTV silicone, but aviation style gasket sealer at the base of the cylinders. Stretch the original push rod tubes to get the squish to seal them. Use a bit of the aviation sealant on the beveled edge of them. Reassemble and adjust valves etc.. maybe rebuild carb. Reinstall everything with new seals check crankshaft end play. Don’t replace good parts with cheap aftermarket stuff.
_________________
Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop (Arschloch)
1973 standard bug (Dirty Gertie)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=804912
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
