Hey there,
  As everyone may or may not know I have done a rebuild on my engine. David did the bottom end and I did the top end. Anyway I went for a stroll today and the car hasn't been ran much at all and as I am driving it seems to have tons of power lol.. And Nothing but the valves rattling a little if I lug it. Which vw don't like I don't think lol. Anyway when I stopped to check out if it was overheating there was white smoke comming from my heater holes where the ducts connect to from the shroud. I don't have these ducts on yet that is why I was able to see it.  and there was also smoke comming from under the cyclinder head covers. Now the smoke doesn't smell like oil, nor does it smell awful. It is a weird smell that you can not even smell till you stop then the smoke comes out and you can see it. I was wanderin the timing is set right maybe the carb is set too lean. It cranks and runs fine .. I need to know if this is overheating or what.. PLease help I don't want to run my engine. And do I need to adjust the carb for a little rich right now anyway?? I didn't drive it over 2 miles down the road.. Thanks everyone.. I hope all the info is enough..

    Aaron

I am going to be checking the timing tomorrow.. Umm when i used the timing light i lined up the red mark that you made on tdc and all that.. it doesn't rattle when i climb a hill with a good smoooth run but if i lug it it did one time. I will recheck the timing. Where should i put the red mark if putting it at the case split is too much? And no the ducts aren't blocked off yet I didn't have time. I just went for a ride 2 miles down the road. I will check timing again..
and what about the white smoke? Is that normal for break in?
   Aaron

The smoke could just be oil and grease and assembly lube burning off parts as they get hot for the first time. It should go away in the first couple of heat cycles. Be sure to cinch up nuts on intake and exhaust after a couple of cycles. I burnt a piston once because the intake manifold worked its way loose. And get those hoses on before you cook the heater boxes! VW engines would much rather rev high than be lugged.

OK , One more time.  The single red mark on the left.  Set your timing light on 32 degrees, hold the RPMs up somewhere around 1500-1800, split the case with the single red mark. HOOK YOUR PIPES UP. Its 90 degrees out there and you are blowing 60-70% of your cooling air everywhere but the right place.  Unless you have a real "Jones" about having your crankshaft ending up where the the Sun don`t shine and you "get off" on looking at melted metal, I would suggest you GET IT right. It could be that the white smoke is coming off the burning paint on your muffler and heater boxes etc. etc. coming up through holes YOU SHOULD HAVE BLOCKED OFF or connected PROPERLY. If I catch you LUGGING the engine around , I WILL have you shot on the spot. The motto at the U.S.Navy fire fighting school I attended was:  "LEARN OR BURN" . Unless you want Herb to jump on your butt, You better heed all this. He doesn`t  spread the love around if somthing bugs him. :lol:

O`yea,  Those new collars can be tough. They are way to thick. I have ground them down and driven them in with a hammer. "have at it " just get them on there :lol:

Hello once again,

    I have developed a exhaust leak at the heater boxes to muffler clamp. I have a big one on the right side and a small one that you can't hear on the left. Drivers side can't hear, passenger side hear, does anyone know what I can do about this? Is this a problem that everyone faces? I re adjusted the valves because they were pecking, and all seems well there but now I have a loud ugly exhaust leak. Please help...



     Aaron

Aaron, I just got off the phone with the Godfather and we discussed your current diliema concrning your present exhaust leak. Have you ever heard the saying "Houston we have a problem"? Well, you can change that to Aaron, YOU have a problem!! I was afraid this would happen. :cry:

By you lugging your engine, you have succeded in burning and gaulding your muffler bearing.

Dig deep, this one will cost you plenty.

Sorry :cry:  :cry:  :cry:

david, i will check the heater boxes. and no the engine isn't banging and knocking just ticking ticking.. Doesn't seem to run hot or bother the performance. If you have time I could come by for a few and let you hear it?? Let me know and i will come that way, then I can leave. Thanks man


            aaron