endplay changes with crank rotation

[Gezz]

Never have i seen this issue before, although many years setting endplay. Rotating the crankshaft results in a change of endplay of 10 thousandths always at the same point in rotation. Concerned i may have a bent connecting rod putting pressure on the crank? What else could cause this? May be looking for a replacemnt engine down the road. Any suggestions appreciated.
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Beachside Mechanic
69 Double Cab
73 Thing
2015 New Beetle Convertible

[KTPhil]

When did this become apparent? What changed?

Maybe remove oil pump and distributor drive and see if the condition changes?
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- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[SGKent]

are you building the engine or just checking endplay on an existing engine?

Either way, I would pull the distributor and drive gear under it out, and check it that way.

Also, are you using a dial indicator or one of the funky different types of clamps for a feeler gauge.
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[67rustavenger]

Where is the end play being measured from, the flywheel or on the end of the crankshaft?
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[timvw7476]

That's a bent crankshaft. Not conrod. : l

[SGKent]

[lil-jinx]

what would it matter if the flywheel or pully is bent,he is measuring end play not runout,or he is attempting to measure end play ,and ends up instead measuring runout.
setup your dial gage ,push the flywheel back and zero your gage then push the flywheel forward and take a reading,if your turn the engine,repeat the process,
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1974 parts bus
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[skills@eurocarsplus]

[timvw7476]

[Gezz]

pictures as requested

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Beachside Mechanic
69 Double Cab
73 Thing
2015 New Beetle Convertible

[Gezz]

thanks for all the replies, I have not removed the distributor but will try that. I am using a dial indicator. Unfortunately I know little about this engine. It was in the double cab when I purchased it, certainly it is not stock, was told it was a 1914, but all hearsay, as the owner died and I bought it from his estate. Was running fine, starts up on one crank and no smoke, just leaks, so I pulled it to check it out and reseal the main and re-torque everything. Checked the crank at the main and found a slight movement, about .0015 without the flywheel (I know it should not move at all). then trying to set endplay and cannot seem to get it right, as the rotation of the crank affects the endplay.Hope I answered all your questions, will be pulling the dizzy and update this post. thanks always.
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Beachside Mechanic
69 Double Cab
73 Thing
2015 New Beetle Convertible

[Glenn]

The only time is had a similar problem was a new build and it was caused by the crank hitting the inside of the case
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[lil-jinx]

to eliminate a variance in the fly wheel,put the dial on the gland nut,or move it to the front pulley and check from that end.
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy sold dec 2024

1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[Clatter]

If you were turning the engine without the flywheel on you could have buggered up the brass distributor gear.
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[SGKent]

[Wildthings]

You can't eliminate excess endplay if the thrust bearing shell is moving in the case.

[lil-jinx]

i may be mistaken ,but i don’t think that the area where the dial indicator probe is,is a precission machined area ,not like the surface that the clutch disc rides or the clutch mount surfaces,
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy sold dec 2024

1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[Gezz]

I have set the dial indicator on the clutch area, same readings. But I did remove the distributor and the end play readings are now consistent regardless of rotation. replaced it with a new one, same issue came back, so is there a fix without breaking down the engine. Really, I do not want to put more into this block, have the means to just buy a new one and go from there.

The only thing I know about this engine is that the prior owner had a lot of issues with overheating and the block throwing belts. I replaced the alternator pulley and never had another problem. But I do not know what damage was done before. As I said, engine is strong , no smoke, starts a runs every time so I was just trying to get a bit more out of it before replacing it?

thanks for you help and sharing your knowledge.
_________________
Beachside Mechanic
69 Double Cab
73 Thing
2015 New Beetle Convertible

[KTPhil]

Any chance the fuel pump is buggered, and since it rides on the distributor shaft, may be the cause of a pinch?
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[SGKent]

think thru what you wrote. If removing the distributor, drive gear, spring, and making 100% sure you got the washer(s) without dropping one, and the problem went away, then there is no problem. The spinning of the crankshaft rotates the drive gear which tries to move up and down a little as you load and unload it. When the engine is running the spring holds it in a steady state. Trying to push the crankshaft forwards and backwards is pushing on a gear that wasn't designed to spin that way. The drive gear interferes with the brass gear on the crank, affecting your readings. That is why quite a few people suggested the problem might be a non-problem once you took the distributor and drive gear out. In fact, if just the distributor is out, and not the drive gear too, and you spin the crank, it can bind the two gears and damage the brass gear. The only hassle taking the drive gear out is/are the washer(s) that are under it. One has to be damned careful not to lose it/them.
_________________
Canned Water - the new California approved parts cleaner (except in a drought in which case rub it with sand).

George Carlin:
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it."

Skills@EuroCarsPlus:
"never time to do it right but always time to do it twice"