Engine Install

[sped372]

Well I bit my tongue and drilled the hole. Hope I haven't invoked the Wolfsburg Wrath.

Anyway, got a bit further before getting pooped out.







And for the record, if you thought the muffler doughnut connection thingies were tough... just try the single-piece version. I gave up after about twenty minutes and just re-used my old two-part pieces in conjunction with the new kit's steel-wool-ring thing and dished washer. There just isn't enough give in it to get everything lined up, at least not for me with my weak hands.

The culprit:


That's all for now. Still looking good for a Weekend shove-in.

[hambone]

Fabbo man.
That's a nice herd.

[spiffy]

flanges do wonders.

[sped372]

And... it's in! Still a few things to tend to (thermostat, clutch adjustment, muffler tip, fresh air hoses, etc.) but otherwise here's hoping the majority of the work is out of the way.

[Oregon72]

Hey! Nice job Sped. I guess I don't have to say how much I envy that removeable apron you early bay dudes enjoy. You have a nice quiver of 'dubs there. They all look great!

[sped372]

Ok, so I can't seem to get the thermostat in a position where it doesn't screeech as the rod moves up and down. It rubs on the little sheetmetal baffle in the head through-which it pokes. I can unscrew the thermostat and find a happy place for the rod to move by hand, but the t-stat bracket doesn't seem to jive exactly with the location.

I've read of the importance of the little baffle and don't want to remove it... but I also don't think it is good to have a thermostat linkage rubbing on something... thoughts or experiences?

[hambone]

Hey don't forget to plug the port on top of the fan shroud, unless you're running the charcoal thing. I just used a blob of silicone.
Lookin good! It will be covered n filth in no time at all.

Those little baffles are just clamped in place with little tabs. See if you can move it some. Or even take a file to it? Not sure if you can with the engine in place though. You won't die if you don't use them, but they do help with airflow. I actually bothered to source some used ones for my heads last year.

[sped372]

Yeah, I'm thinking some time spent with a little rat-tail file will be in order. Maybe a bit of tweaking of the rod. I can hardly wait, not. These types of finicky things are not my favorite.

[hambone]

Patience gentle bus pilot. Ajustments to a new engine are just part of the process. Wait til you gotta retorque the heads.

[sped372]

Ajustments to a new engine are just part of the process.

I know, I know! My knees are sore from all the crawling around on the concrete the past week or so. I guess I should feel grateful that this job will basically entail lying flat on my back.

At least the concrete should be cool... this rapid onslaught of hot, humid weather caught me off guard.

[sped372]

Took a spin around the block last night!

[BellePlaine]

=D> =D> =D> =D>

Well done. Now go camping!

[sped372]

Now go camping!

Had an awesome weekend camping in a secluded valley on some relative's land. Awesome weather! The engine just purrs... sounds more 'whirry' and less clattery than the last mill. Will be changing the oil and checking the valves tonight.

[Gypsie]

a little tear just slipped out of the corner of my eye....



Congratulations.

[hambone]

How we keep these antiques on the road is beyond me...
And then to put them thru hard use. The nerve I tells ya.