???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Zen · « **on:** May 08, 2005, 07:44:54 PM »

I have the engine out of Homer. I could just install a few new seals and stop the leaks and put it back in, but it has developed a little end play. I've got several cases in the garage and one has the mounting points for a type 2. I'm sure it needs to be line bored because the front main bearing (front = front of bus, or flywheel side) will move slightly. I haven't broke it down yet, but if it turns out to be salvagable, I'm going to build a new engine for Homer in it.

If I go to the trouble to build the bottom end right (vs. my nomal "patch it up to get by for while"), I might as well go ahead and do the top end right as well. I need more low end torque, so I want to go back to a single port intake. Top end won't do you any good if you can't get rolling! I've dug through my stash and have found two very good looking single port heads. Problem is the valve guides are worn out. I can get a core drill bit from aircooled.net . . . what else do I need? I've been told that you can core out the old guide leaving a step at the bottom and then knock it out with a punch. I've also been told that if you freeze the guides and heat the heads, you can tap 'em right in. Anyone ever done this? Is it "do-able" for a shade tree mechanic? I've found 4 brand new exhaust valves. If I replace the guides and the valve seats look good, will I be ok just lapping the valves in or do I need to just turn this whole project over to a professional?

Homer could use a little more CC's, so I'm thinking of going to 87mm pistons/cylinders. I've heard a lot of bad stuff about slip-in 88's, but I haven't heard much one way or the other on 87's. Anyone ever use them?

The last thing is, does anyone know where I could find a set dual carbs and manifolds for a single port? Would I have enough clearance for them in Homer's engine bay? Would I be better off just staying with my current 30/31? If so, would the added CCs of the 87's be a wasted effort?

:-k

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2005, 08:19:29 AM »

It would nice if you had case with case savers. Im not familiar with the "core drill " . I take it ,you drill from the port side out seening that some guides have a "stop land". I have a Snap -On 8mm guide punch that I use to install . When you install new guides you just about always have to "cut" the seats due to flopping valves making strange angles. I can do that for you . I can also "cut" your case for you if you want me to.

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2005, 08:26:02 AM »

Twin carbs ? 87mm ? Why? Look how long Homer cruised along without all that stuff.

Zen · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2005, 06:54:27 PM »

The core drill has a "pilot" on the business end that keeps it in the center of the valve guide . . . and the drill kind of steps out from there. It's supposed to cut out the majority of the old guide so it will knock out easier. From what I understand about it, you don't core the whole guide, you leave a step on end and use a drift down through the cored out guide knocking against the step to drive it out.

I'll try to get the case broke apart and cleaned up, and strip these heads down and come see you. I think the case already has case savers. I was digging around in the garage yesterday afternoon and found 7 or 8 cases. One of them is bound to be good . . . I hope the one with the type 2 mounting points is! I think the one with the big hole in the top is probably bad. One has been line bored already . . . but it's a 40 horse.

On the 87s and Dual Carbs . . . just shaking the trees to see what falls out! :whistle:

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2005, 09:53:52 PM »

Zen , What is wrong with Homers case ?

Zen · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2005, 10:34:10 PM »

Quote from: "Ret.Bugtech"

Zen , What is wrong with Homers case ?

I haven't split the case, so I'm not sure, but I think the bearings have started getting loose in the case. When I pulled the engine out back in October to tighten up the loose head, the end play was almost undetectable . . . It clunks around pretty good now.

One of the type 2 mounting points is cracked. This home-made rear brace has two corners that hang really low. I dropped in a pot hole in the road a while back and the corner of the mount hit the ground and bent it back several inches, pulled one of the bolts out and caused a slight crack on the outside of the case (between the bolt hole and the outside of the case). The bolt tightened up in the hole, but it's just a matter of time . . .

I've had three different engines in Homer. Two worn out single ports and this "rebuilt" dual port (I think it was rebuilt with slightly used parts) that I bought a Taccoa 2 and half years ago. As for power and drivablity, I'll take one of those worn out single ports any day of the week. Homer will run faster with this dual port . . . but you gott'a get moving before you can run fast. The single ports had more low end torque. If you have a half ton of key blanks in a bay window bus and you're starting out with 100 CCs less than stock . . . you NEED low end torque!

I could just put in some new seals in the engine to stop the oil leaks, bolt all this stuff back together, and probably be OK for a while. But, I want to start from scratch and for once, build a good engine. Homer deserves it.

Then, I can take this engine that's in Homer now . . . well, laying on the ground in pieces behind Homer . . . and take it apart, check it out and build it back up right. At that point, I'm going to build a roof rack for Homer, shrink wrap the spare engine and carry it around. Never again will I be at the mercy of swap meet vendors if I drop a valve 150 mile from home!

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2005, 08:21:57 AM »

Well if you build a engine up right from the start and keep it below 7000 rpms on the road, You wouldn`t need the extra engine,but I guess it just wouldn`t be Homer would it. With Homer having a full complement of functional brakes and now facing the possibility of renewed power ,I think you are going to have to be careful not to give the old Boy a complex. :lol:

Zen · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2005, 05:58:18 PM »

Quote from: "Ret.Bugtech"

With Homer having a full complement of functional brakes and now facing the possibility of renewed power ,I think you are going to have to be careful not to give the old Boy a complex. :lol:

Not only that, but I've got 4 new ball joints, a center link repair kit, and a new steering damper that just came in yesterday I have to install. I replaced all the tie rods last year and the drag link after my first trip to FL. After I get all those parts installed, I'm going to get the front end lined up. I've also got another tranny to stick in it.

I've got to get all this done before we leave for Effingham (Mid-America Motorworks FunFest) next month, so I have to get busy!

Zen · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2005, 06:06:51 PM »

Back to the heads . . . David, can you remove the old and install new valve guides for me? If so, do you have guides or know of a place locally where I can get 'em? I've to figure out exactly what I'm going to do with this engine and start getting any parts I've got to get mail order ordered this week.

What is the best brand of stock size piston/cylinders?

What is your opinion on the oil pump with the spin-on filters? I know EMPI makes one that is junk . . . a friend of mine got one 4 or 5 years ago and it was loose in the case. I think the Mexican Beetles had them from the factory didn't they? If so, there has to be a decent quality one avalible somewhere . . .

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2005, 11:37:35 PM »

Yes indeed on the guides. I can get them from Jim Lockhart . I will cut your seats for you and if you bring me the valves/springs etc, I will lap them in and put the heads back together. I have the org. Matra VW head
spring compressor which would make it faster. Ill bead blast them also.
All of this for the amazing 3 easy payments of-------- Whoops ,Been watching to many Ron Popeil shows. Don`t even ask me about 3 angle valve seats. I think every valve seat in a I.H.C. engine since the "Hit and Miss " engines of the early 20th cent. had 3 angle valve seats. VW happens to have: 15-46-75 degree valve seats. My favorite piston/clys are Mahle or Kobensmitt. You can get the Mahle from Jack at "Bug Stuff'
Herb has his #. Club members get a discount. . I like the oil filter/ pump thing. The one I had came from C.B. Buggy years ago. It was great,but next to impossble to use with a stock muffler. I don`t know whats out there now . Not sure about the Mex bug. Let me know about the heads so I can run the guides down.

Zen · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2005, 12:09:35 AM »

I'll try to get the case I want to use torn down and cleaned up tomorrow evening. I'll try to get the case and heads to you Friday evening or sometime Saturday. I'll call you and see what works best for you before I head your way.

Like I said, I found 4 exhaust valves that appear to be brand new that came with a bunch of parts I bought on eBay a couple of years ago. I don't have any new intake valves, but I can round up a bunch of used ones. I tried to order 4 from CIP1.com this evening, but they only had 2 in stock. Would you recommend new intake valves? If so, can you get them from Lockhart's too?

CIP1.com has Kolbenschmidt P/C sets for $129.95 plus shipping. Shipping is probably several bucks, but there wouldn't be any sales tax and if you order on line you get 5% off. Is that a good deal? They've got a set for $79.95 but they don't list the brand name . . . before I went that route, I think I'd just hone the cylinders in Homer's current engine and put in new rings. I mean, if you're gonn'a be cheap, be cheap. Right? :whistle:

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2005, 08:10:12 AM »

Zen, I don`t think you will need intakes,but if needed I can get them. Price on p/cs seems inline plus or minus $10.00. K.S. was the most popular with VWAG.K.S. brgs are very good also, but we don`t know what size you will end up with.
Hey, if you bring your crank, Ill mike it for you.

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Topic: ???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more! (Read 3158 times)

Zen

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Ret.Bugtech

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Ret.Bugtech

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Zen

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Ret.Bugtech

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Zen

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Ret.Bugtech

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Zen

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Zen

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Ret.Bugtech

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Zen

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

Ret.Bugtech

???'s 'bout Rebuilding Heads . . . and more!

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