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Silverteener
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2015
Posts: 24
Location: East Moline, IL
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 Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 3:07 pm Post subject: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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Hi all,
I keep learning more and more about this 62' I recently purchased a little while back. I knew the engine wasn't quite aligned in the engine bay when I bought it and am just starting to see if I can fix it. From what I can tell I need to take these 2 rear mount bolts out and then see if I can shift it into place. Am I correct in thinking that? And if so, what is the best way to get the bolts out. I hit the right one with my impact and it didn't budge. Let me know what you think if you have any ideas.
Thanks!
Scott
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 79252
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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It could be the aftermarket cradle and/or the rubber mounts. .
The frame horns are tweaked.
Was it hit in the back previously?
_________________
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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Silverteener
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2015
Posts: 24
Location: East Moline, IL
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| Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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| Glenn wrote: |
The frame horns are tweaked.
Was it hit in the back previously? |
I read in another post similar to mine that bent frame horns causes this too. I look at the mounts and they look original. It doesn't look to have any major body damage in the rear but anything is possible. Thanks for the info! |
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jeffrey8164
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 4119
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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Sitting that low definitely makes me think frame horns unfortunately.
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Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4439
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 8:47 am Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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| jeffrey8164 wrote: |
| Sitting that low definitely makes me think frame horns unfortunately. |
I agree.
There is no way those aftermarket valve covers would fit if the horns were aligned correctly.
It almost make we wonder if the horns were tweaked just for that reason  |
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my3bugs
Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2003
Posts: 726
Location: Moreno Valley
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 9:13 am Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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is it set up for off road / race ? i had a bug for a while that had the solid trany strap , it didnt take long for me to take em off . it was so loud n rough feeling , it compresses your trans/motor mounts there and doesn't let em work/flex . that was a long time ago ... on the street its not needed .
Last edited by my3bugs on Wed May 21, 2025 5:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Silverteener
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2015
Posts: 24
Location: East Moline, IL
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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| kingkarmann wrote: |
| jeffrey8164 wrote: |
| Sitting that low definitely makes me think frame horns unfortunately. |
I agree.
There is no way those aftermarket valve covers would fit if the horns were aligned correctly.
It almost make we wonder if the horns were tweaked just for that reason |
I was wondering the same thing about the valve covers. I'm not sure they will fit either. |
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PeteSC
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 926
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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There's a lot going on under here. It appears you have an aftermarket transmission mid mount, camber compensator, and rear transmission strap. I'm wondering if it's possible, depending on how all of the components were installed and secured, if the combination of them and the way they push/pull on things is the cause of the misalignment. |
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Silverteener
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2015
Posts: 24
Location: East Moline, IL
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 4:57 pm Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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| PeteSC wrote: |
There's a lot going on under here. It appears you have an aftermarket transmission mid mount, camber compensator, and rear transmission strap. I'm wondering if it's possible, depending on how all of the components were installed and secured, if the combination of them and the way they push/pull on things is the cause of the misalignment. |
I took a few more pics tonight to share. I also took the camber compensator off and loosened transmission mid mount a little and am working on loosening the rear transmission strap. My issue now is I can't get the 27mm bolts out. I've tried an impact, then tried heating them first then hit them with the impact, and then went and bought a 25" breaker bar and long extensions to get the breaker bar past the rear of the car, neither of those bolts will budge. I've also sprayed them with wd-40 for the past 2 days. I'm not what else I can do to get them out honestly. If you have any ideas please let me know. I'd be very grateful.
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McFunzeepants
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2015
Posts: 134
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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| Can you show us some pictures of the front trans mount and the shift coupler from under the back seat? |
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Silverteener
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2015
Posts: 24
Location: East Moline, IL
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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| McFunzeepants wrote: |
| Can you show us some pictures of the front trans mount and the shift coupler from under the back seat? |
I sure can. I'll take some here shortly. Thanks! |
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Silverteener
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2015
Posts: 24
Location: East Moline, IL
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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| McFunzeepants wrote: |
| Can you show us some pictures of the front trans mount and the shift coupler from under the back seat? |
Well I know I need a new part for the shift coupler, also shouldn't the linkage be centered and not to the left? Let me know what you think if you have a moment. Thanks!
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 79252
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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That's what's left of you shift rod bushing. It should be just past the shifter.
No Bueno.
_________________
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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PeteSC
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 926
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 6:31 am Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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| I'd try PB Blaster or a 50/50 ATF/acetone mix on those 27mm bolts rather than WD-40. |
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McFunzeepants
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2015
Posts: 134
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 6:36 am Post subject: Re: Engine not aligned in engine bay, is there a fix? |
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It really looks like the complete trans is shifter to the right.
The right valve cover is closer to the engine seal channel (then the left) and the shift coupler is closer to the right side of the pan.
And it looks like the shift coupler is not in alignment with the shift rod- maybe that's what ate up the shift bushing?
How does it shift?
And are the 17mm nuts on the front nose cone mount crooked or is that just the picture?
Are the aftermarket trans supports there for performance or are they there to 'fix' this problem we are seeing?
I would start to measure things down there and see if you can collaborate that the trans is actually shifted to the right and maybe that will tell you whats wrong. Measure from the frame horns / trans carrier to the torsion bar tubes on each side- same distance?
Is the right rear wheel sticking out 1/4" more then the left- do the spring plates look like they are in alignment relative to the spring plate stops? |
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