1600 DP Tight getting out of my 65

[ZEKE65]

When I pulled the 1600 DP out of my 65, it was pretty tight getting it out. The valve covers contacted the side sheet metal about the time that the engine was coming off the input shaft. I was wondering if leaving the valve covers off while removing or installing would help. I was thinking about going with a larger motor and the extra stroke I guess will make the engine wider, and make it even a tighter fit. 1. Is it a good practice to leave the valve covers off during removal, and 2. Do you normally have to work on the sheet metal to give clearance to get a stroker motor in and out?
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1965 VW Sedan, 1968 C10 Step BB, 99 C5

[Cusser]

I've never done an install with valve covers off; I'd be afraid of getting crap into the engine.

I have done installs without the exhaust though.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[rcooled]

I find that removing the driver-side heat exchanger from the 1600 d/p in my ‘63 makes engine r&r a bit easier.

Remove the valve covers if you need to. If you’re worried about getting dirt in the motor, you might consider removing the rocker shafts & pushrods too, then stuff some rags or paper towel in the pushrod tubes. Wipe out the rocker boxes really well once the motor’s back in and before reinstallling the valve gear.

Can’t advise on the stroker...never put one in an early car.
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'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone)

[balljoint]

I struggle with this too.
I've thought about removing the covers too but decided to massage the metal on either side a bit as it would not be seen and there is no chance of bending/damaging anything internally WHEN the engine swings and acts foolish