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aztecair Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2009 Posts: 6 Location: South Florida
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 3:01 pm Post subject: Low oil pressure after front seal change etc. |
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Hello VW gurus etc.
My 1971 dual port motor is giving me a fit, I pulled it for an unstoppable front seal leak and did the following while I was in there -
1. drilled a 3/16" hole in the case at about 6:30 position behind the front seal
2. Before I installed the new seal, I cut about 3/4" off of the spring and reattached the ends.
3. Installed the seal ALL the way in to the stop in the case
4. while I had it out, I reset the end play from a whopping .015", down to .004"
5. Adjusted the valves
Sounds pretty good, eh? - Well now the thing is running very hot, and and scaring me to death as I drive it around with the oil light on after about 5 minutes of running - and forget the freeway!
I'm stumped, could resetting the end play have changed the distributor timing at all?
It runs purfect, just hot as hell -
What say you, oh great minds of the Samba? |
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busdaddy Samba Member

Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 52746 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: Low oil pressure after front seal change etc. |
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aztecair wrote: |
could resetting the end play have changed the distributor timing at all? |
Without a doubt. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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SGKent  Samba Member

Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 42439 Location: at the beach
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Low oil pressure after front seal change etc. |
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why did you drill a hole. The case has a drain for the front oil seal already.
As Mark suggested, check your timing first. _________________ "Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead

Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 17829 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Low oil pressure after front seal change etc. |
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how many threads did you post?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=804543 _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Glenn  Mr. 010

Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 79443 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Low oil pressure after front seal change etc. |
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Looks like 3  _________________ 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 |
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aztecair Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2009 Posts: 6 Location: South Florida
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: Low oil pressure after front seal change etc. |
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Thanks folks - I will check the timing, I tend to agree, and hope and believe this could be my demon !
RE: Why did I drill the hole? I believe the drain slot (passage) to be clogged probably from sealant during assembly - I had changed the seal at least twice and can't stop the leak, so this is my "Hail-Mary" having read a lot of folks doing just that - drilling the hole - GoWesty even makes a tool to do it for type 4 motors, I have to admit it took me a lot of thinking to 'bite the bullet' and drill it - scary, to say the least... I'm still hoping that was OK to do - I'm not in the mood for new short block $$$$ |
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SGKent  Samba Member

Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 42439 Location: at the beach
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: Low oil pressure after front seal change etc. |
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aztecair wrote: |
Thanks folks - I will check the timing, I tend to agree, and hope and believe this could be my demon !
RE: Why did I drill the hole? I believe the drain slot (passage) to be clogged probably from sealant during assembly - I had changed the seal at least twice and can't stop the leak, so this is my "Hail-Mary" having read a lot of folks doing just that - drilling the hole - GoWesty even makes a tool to do it for type 4 motors, I have to admit it took me a lot of thinking to 'bite the bullet' and drill it - scary, to say the least... I'm still hoping that was OK to do - I'm not in the mood for new short block $$$$ |
you also need the o-ring between the flywheel and crankshaft. Is that good? Have you tried a dye in the oil and black light to see exactly where it is leaking from? _________________ "Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
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Wildthings Samba Member

Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 52301
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: Low oil pressure after front seal change etc. |
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You can not tighten the endplay on an engine with a loose thrust bearing, assuming the thrust bearing shell is loose in it's saddle (which is very likely) if you try and tighten the end play you may seize the crank to the bearing. |
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