As a youngster, i got to see first hand what happens to a 356 Porsche case
when there isn't enough end play in the crank.  The excessive friction
actually damaged the housing that the rear crankshaft pulley seal resided
in. Despite the removeable rear housing, it took some fancy language to get
that re welded and back together again.  I was able to buy that Super 90
engine complete for $100.  That was a buttload of money to a 19 year old at
the time, but man, did that engine rock several VW's that I installed it in
over the next couple of years!

Dimwitted Moose and Flying Squirrel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Ingalls" <ingalls_mark@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2001 3:02 AM
Subject: Re: Crankshaft Endplay Defies Me--Please Help

> The way I understood it is VW calls for .004 endplay, so that when the
> engine is warmed up and the metal has expanded there is -0- endplay. If
the
> engine started with -0- endplay, when warm it would be harder for the
> crankshaft to turn.
>
> If when the engine is back in the van and driven till it is good and
warmed
> up, then parked and the spark plugs pulled out. If the engine still turns
> over easily by hand, then maybe there is not an end play problem? It would
> just be a drag if the engine was hard to turn then and you needed to take
it
> back apart.
>
> (Have you tried yanking on the pulley end of the engine to see if you can
> find the end play?)
>
> I'm not an expert- just my 2 cents worth,
>
> Mark Ingalls
>
>
>
>
>
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