Sounds like a real mess.

I'd just convert it to water cooling and Subaru engine.

What I've noticed is that the pistons and barrels are very seldom the weak
part. Those seem to last just super well- though sure sounds like it was a
bargain 'rebuild.'    While I don't trust Brazilian vw parts very much, if
they look good, I'd probably put new rings on them and hone the barrels.  

 Uneven main bearings ? ....engine balance ?  the crank shaft is trying to
flop left-right in there badly.  One trick for checking how the main
bearings fit in the case ( with case still together ) is put in an extra
end-play shim, and tighten down the flywheel, so the crank is locked to the
rear main bearing - if the crank still moves left and right some, or turns a
tiny bit - that's how loose your main bearing is in the case.

 It's basically a very underbuilt set up and can only 'sort of last'
compared to real engines.  Way better that the earlier air-cooled engines,
but really very old inexpensively made vw technology.  

 Good luck !

Scott

www.turbovans.com <http://www.turbovans.com/>  

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
thomas LaPointe
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 2:17 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Air cooled camshaft

 

after pulling down our so called "rebuilt" 2.0 air cooled I inherited. I

noticed the cam is bad as I suspected.

1. is there a "better" cam or cam grind I should use on this ex Californian

injected 82 Westy?  this engine only had about 4-500 miles since the

supposed rebuild by a shop in Colorado springs many years ago. the cam has

uneven surfaces on the larger lobes and I cannot believe that someone would

install this.also we noticed that the main bearings had uneven wear on one

side. sheesh!

2. it has Mahle of Brazil Pistons and cylinders. how were the quality of

these?

thanks, Thomas

 

--

1985 Full Westy "Rustfalia"

1982 Full Westy "dead engine on the mend"

1991 GL "smokers cough"

1972 Honda Z600 2 cyl

 

 

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