Got myself an engine, now what...

[minirailz]

Hi,

Small introduction:
I bought myself a '68 bug about 18 months ago.
Learned a lot automotive stuff in no time and now very happy with this vehicle.

However, there is/was one point I never checked or worked on intensively: the engine. (just small stuff like timing, mixture, etc...)

Instead of tearing apart my (now daily driven) bug, I decided to buy a spare one and get that one all sorted.

So I recently bought a decent F-block, at least that's what the seller convinced me.
It had lots of surface rust, but all the original Bosch/VW components were there, so I took the risk.

Now, a few weeks later, I (re-)checked the end play and it surprised me how big it was. When meeting the seller I felt barely any end play, probably due to the very tight generator-belt.
I tried measuring it yesterday and ended up around 0.9mm (0,035) or 3 times the allowed wear limit.

It didn't ran for quite some time, adding some shims to fix this sounds like a bad idea.

So long story short:
Does it need a rebuild straightaway?
Or can I still get a few thousand miles/km's out of it without causing damage?

Dennis
ps: either this engine, or the one currently in the car will probably get a complete rebuild someday, the other engine could then just keep me going until the rebuild one is done...

[jeffrey8164]

Lots of endplay does mean it is machine work and rebuild time.
However, I drove an old leaky engine with what looked to be a fat 1/8” of play for about 3 years until I could I afford to build a new one.
Your mileage may vary.
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[KTPhil]

Find out if the excess endplay is curable with shims, or if the case/saddle is worn and you will ruin the case running it.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=648040
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6561194

[MrGoodtunes]

[Starbucket]

When you have a few days you don't have to drive the car, pull the motor and put the spare motor in (don't worry about a clutch or hooking everything up) and just connect what it takes to start the motor using the car as a test stand to start the motor and find out it's condition.

[minirailz]

Thank you all for the replies, much appreciated

I will take a look at that procedure.
Currently the clutch and flywheel are still installed, so will have to get those removed first.

I'll update here again afterwards!

@starbucket: I wonder if it could be 'pull-started' when out of the car, with a strap around the alternator

Dennis

[Starbucket]

[minirailz]

Just an update:
We're now 6 weeks later.

The case is split and getting ready to be align-bored.

I measured around 21.4mm on the main bearing seating, that is 0,6mm of play.
Together with the 'allowed' wear limit of 0,3mm it makes 0,9mm which I measured in the first place.
(all estimates though)

The case seems to be original, so it will be it's first revision.
Looking forward in putting it back together

Thank you all for replying!

Dennis