'74 SB autostick engine not rotating

[rusty_74_bug]

I've been putting this old SB autostick back together and hit a snag today. I'm not very experienced so I'm not sure where I went wrong. I put the engine back in yesterday and then the torque converter screws today. I was going to do the timing using the static timing method and went to rotate the engine and it only went about a 1/4 turn before it hits something. I'm pretty sure I had it in neutral but with this autostick, who knows. The engine did rotate all the way around with a wrench before I put the torque conv screws back in. Not sure how I could have possibly messed the torque conv screws but it is clearly and audibly hitting something and not rotating all the way around. Did I miss something?
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'74 Standard Bug

[rusty_74_bug]

I figured out what happened. Will update later when I have time and give full explanation of what happened.
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'74 Standard Bug

[mouser98]

Sounds like you got it solved without having to remove the engine and split the case. Looking forward to hearing about what it was.

[rusty_74_bug]

[VW_Jimbo]

It would be cheaper to buy another non auto stick Bug. Conversion of the systems is pricey!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[rusty_74_bug]

[rusty_74_bug]

[mouser98]

helio coil will fix you right up

[rusty_74_bug]

[Tom K.]

I have this tool that looks like an antenna but has a magnet on the tip. I would try to like it around in there to pick up the screw. Then fetal the threads.
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'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[rusty_74_bug]

[rusty_74_bug]

Just an update. I kept saying I stripped the torque converter but I misspoke, I meant to say that I had stripped one of the holes on the flex plate. Engine came back out this morning and my neighbor will tap it for me later then the engine goes back in on the next sunny day.
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'74 Standard Bug

[68IHscout]

[rusty_74_bug]

[toddgsanford]

Cool that u wanna save the auto stick. Keep on trucking w that if thats your thing. A dude name heimlich from houston always has ads looking for auto stick parts so he will probably be a good source if u need some. As to the cost of “conversion” if u can source a used transmission the 74 chasis should have the clutch tube in it pull your shifter inspection cover. On the driver side there should be a tube. You need a shift rod,pedal assembly and you will have to change your oil pump over. Not bashing the auto stick but conversion as a diy is maybe a 500$ undertaking. If u keep the autostick suggest rebuild/replace the shift diaphram and have a good understanding of how the the shifter contacts work. These were two common issues with auto sticks

[rusty_74_bug]

[mouser98]

I think once you get it on the road you'll be glad you kept it as an autostick. I really enjoy driving mine and it's a really cool example of VW engineering.

[rusty_74_bug]

[rusty_74_bug]

Hi All, I have seemed to run into another snag. Yesterday the neighbor tapped the stripped flex plate hole and then I put the engine back in. Today I'm out here trying to get the torque conv screws back in. I am having a real tough time with this. It appears the flex plate and torque conv bracket are not lining up which is not allowing me to get the screws in properly, it becomes tight way too soon and I stop because I obviously don't want to strip it again. All 4 engine bolts are in and fully tightened. Why are the flex plate holes not lining up with the torque conv? This car is driving me nuts.
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'74 Standard Bug

[sjbartnik]

Are you sure the tap work was done right? Hint: there are no SAE threads on this thing, hope he had a metric tap.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650