Itinerant Air-Cooled

Colin is coming the end of July to help me correctly install my new heads. Plan is to have engine out, and heads removed before he gets here.

Below is what I have on my shopping list so far:

- pushrod tube seals
- exhaust flange gasket - 2
- copper exhaust manifold gaskets - 4
- engine crankase breather hose connector (mine was siliconed together 10 years ago)
- complete engine gasket set

What else am I missing?

Some extra M8 nuts might be necessary for the head/exhaust studs; I don’t know what kind Colin might recommend, as the ones that grip the threads too tightly are annoying.

You have Len’s heads, correct? Doesn’t he include some instructions about a copper RTV too?

Make sure your push rod tube seals are the viton seals- the bright red silicone (flexible) seals fail with heat after a short time.

I’m sure there’s more, but that’s a start!
Robbie

Cant hurt to have new pushrod tubes as well. They aren't that expensive, and then you're prepared if one or more of your existing tubes gets damaged on removal.

What condition are your adjusting screws in? It would be kind to your new valves to start them off with new adjusters. Ooo, just realized you have solid lifters (from your sig), so you can use swivel-foot adjusters if you're so inclined.

And this is falling a bit into the "as long as we're here" trap, but maybe you want to inspect your pistons and potentially re-ring or replace them? If you need to adjust the deck height at all you'll be taking the cylinders off anyways to install the base shims.

Might be worth measuring deck height before he arrives and buying necessary shims if you can. Also nice time to get some new valve adjustment screws in. Nice OEM German ones if you recently won a lottery or something.

Len demands German adjusters for his heads...apparently the cheapos might damage the valve ends. Good list, by the way. I'm making a similar one myself.

tommu wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 22, 2018 9:54 am

Might be worth measuring deck height before he arrives and buying necessary shims if you can. Also nice time to get some new valve adjustment screws in. Nice OEM German ones if you recently won a lottery or something.

Thanks, who carries German adjustment screws?

I have taken monday and tuesday off to:

- pull the engine
- get it in an engine stand
- pull the old heads
- measure end play

Any other suggestions for prep before Colin shows up?

I bought 022109451 from Porsche Atlanta.

New German valve adjusters with new heads is the smart thing and even better is to go with the Porsche swivel adjusters. For those you need the 8mm rockers or there are those 10mm ones for sale on the samba

TrollFromDownBelow wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 27, 2018 5:13 am

Thanks, who carries German adjustment screws?

I bought mine from the VW stealership when I rebuilt my engine in 2005. They were $11 CDN each back then. No idea how much they would gouge you for them now, if they are even available.
But worth it.

Any other suggestions for prep before Colin shows up?

Get a good night's sleep?

The fantasy of having a quiet exhaust is fast hitting the reality of all of the prep work I need to prior to Colin's visit. About an hour away from dropping the engine...all exhaust pulled, as well as electrical and vacuum lines.

Although dropping the engine will be the easy part. Will need to cc the old heads to compare to the new, inspect for end clearance, inspect exhaust components (I have two full sets of exhaust) and determine which are best, Clean tins, and if time permits, paint....

TrollFromDownBelow wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 27, 2018 5:13 am

Any other suggestions for prep before Colin shows up?

Lay in a supply of diet Coke and Gumout...?

Why do you need the complete engine gasket set? I am shopping as well...

What do we think of GoWestys lash caps? Are they beneficial on air cooled engines?

cegammel wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 08, 2018 6:10 pm

Why do you need the complete engine gasket set? I am shopping as well...

Because Colin said so.

I'm guessing buying the individual gaskets I needed would be more expensive than buying the package.

cegammel wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 08, 2018 6:14 pm

What do we think of GoWestys lash caps? Are they beneficial on air cooled engines?

Don't do lash caps unless you have an immediate emergency. Swivelfoot adjusters, are recommended if you have solid lifters.
Colin