36 HP Roller Crank Thoughts and Opinions

[oldslow]

Welcome to TheSamba!
What an exciting first post, pictures of such a rare item, new in the box.
The crankshaft you show has bearings marked “34ps”. In the US this is commonly referred to as the 40 horse, and was delivered in production vehicles from 1961-1964.

Please post pictures of the bearings as supplied by SPG, they were factory modified with special oil notches.
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- better to drive a slow car fast than fast car slow -

[kleinergti1]

I just acquired one of these NOS in the box. I can post a picture of the modified bearings if needed

[[email protected]]

Is it a 36hp or 40hp roller crank ??? Post pics when you can

[Fishynos72]

Please let us know if it's 36or 40hp and if you're looking to sell it.

A roller crank seems to be the irrational purchase I need in my life
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Collector of all things Volkswagen, Hazet and Matra.

1972 1302
1973 type2a
1957 type11
2005 Caddy panel van
2006 Golf R32

[oldslow]

[henry roberts]

I am beginning to feel inadequate as I don't own any roller cranks, let alone a NOS one.



I will continue to hope (and pester random strangers about VW parts in the hope of finding such treasures).

[oldslow]

I found a little more info on the bearings:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=581552&highlight=spg

[TomSimon]

I just purchased a 74mm stroke 356/912 roller bearing crank for a recently acquired 912 engine project. It's been run, tiny amount of wear on the mains, but the thing looks awesome, almost new.

The pictures of the modified bearings are exactly what I needed, much thanks! I've only had (1) SPG roller vw engine apart, back in 2005, and couldn't remember what they looked like. With the price of 356/912 main bearings, I really want to get it right

Someone asked about how to tell if these are 'bad' or not: It's just like checking a press fit 2-stroke motorcycle crank. If you feel any radial clearance in the rod bearings, or can see rust forming on the rod pins by viewing through the rod slits, it's game over. Sure you can press them apart, and reassemble and true them, but unlike a 2-stroke motorcycle, repair parts for the SPG cranks are not available (so far as I know), making them a "throwaway" when the rods, rod roller bearings, and rod journal pins are worn.

A guy could always take a used roller bearing crank to a 2-stroke motorcycle tuner for an opinion.
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2-time NASA Pro Racing Champion, Bonneville 130 Club and 150 Club Memeber, BRS Pro Gas racer