I rebuilt my first lawn mower engine at 13. Had a plastic wheel part left over that I didn't know its purpose. Engine ran fine for about a 1/2 hour. Turns out the wheel splashed oil on the piston. I learned to pay attention to detail and ask questions. I did get it to run again. I think I paid $3 for the mower which had a broken connecting rod. So I replaced the rod. After it seized I replaced the rings. Cleaned the gouges off that cylinder wall with sand paper. It smoked pretty good! Sold that mower for $25 got most of my money back. 

At 15 rebuilt the engine in the family's 67 Bus! Over the next two years learned the value of a torque wrench. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 6:02 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Possible...Overheating

all right !
that's nice to read.

I wasn't disciplined enough to push thorough for a mechanical engineering degree like I was supposed to.
Too interested in climbing mountains, playing chess, chasing girls.
After 3 years of college, it was years before I could stand to sit in a class again.

but then later I got into whole other areas of study. Lots.

a smart careful person can easily study up on engine rebuilding, take a whole engine apart carefully..
rebuild it etc.
That happens for sure. I'm very impressed when someone does their first rebuild and they get it right.
Meticulous attention to detail really helps.