Aircooled VW South Africa

Bad Ass Bob wrote:

Chris wrote:Bob also came past with the engine bracket.Still some cutting and welding to be done.

trying to fabricate a custom engine brace for Chriss bus with dimentions over the phone is a serious challenge, should have it back tomorrow !!

delivered the second engine brace, lets hope this one works !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As many know,after I lost 3 engines in 3 weeks for reasons still unknown,I decided to go watercooled in my SC.I removed the engine from my Beach Buggy and fitted in the SC over the last 2 days.



I ran into a few problems and after some calls to Bugger,Impi,HR and Bob I got a few answers and these problems were soon resolved.

The first problem I encountered was the clutch.The SC still has the old style clutch with the shoulder on the diaphram.The Toyota engine has a 1700 Type4 flywheel,clutch and preasure plate,and the pressure plate doesn't have a shoulder.Due to this,the release bearings also differ obviously.

I had 2 options.Replace the fork and release bearing on the SC to take the Type4 kit or replace the bellhousing on the gearbox.The other option was to find a 1700 preasure plate with a shoulder which is impossible due to the fact that only a handfull were ever made,and finding one would be an absolute miracle.The other option was to fit a shoulder to the Type4 diaphram,but after speaking to a couple of people,I soon found out that "it can't be done".

I found one guy that was willing to see if he could make a plan.So here is a new solution to an old problem.Take a Beetle plate,remove the diaphram with the shoulder.Then take the Type4 preasure plate and remove the diaphram.Swop the 2 over,et voila,you have a Type4 1700 preasure plate that will fit in the old gearbox and fibre release bearing.

Beetle plate


Type4 1700 plate


"New" preasure plate


I'm happy to report that it works beautifuly and at a very low cost.

Next was fitting the engine and then making a new enginge mounting.Thanks to Bob's skillls and the neighbours welding and my measuring the new mounting was well underway.


New engine mounting a support brace.


I did all the plumbing in the back as well as all the wiring and then called in the neighbour to help fit the radiator upfront.But don't be alarmed,no cutting was done and the SC wasn't mutilated at all.Bob's help was called in again earlier tonight to do the last plumbing upront.After some a lot of coffe,a couple of new swear words,the job was done and the engine in with all the plumbing done.


After a couple of turns to fill the carb bowl,it started right up and idled well,but the mechanical fuel pump leaked becase the one pipe got damaged against the fire wall.The neighbour had a electric fuel pump that solved the problem.Tomorrow I just have to fill and bleed the cooling system,connect the fan and fan switch and connect up the oil pressure gauge and heat gauge,then job will be completed.

Chris, well done mate ! now for some good luck and you will be on your way again , glad i could help SORRy it was not every day, hope you happy with the result ??

Great Going. That was a lot of work done in a short time! Maybe you missed your calling?
Restoration Project Co-ordinator - like that guy in the states, what's his name - Lenny? 3 year waiting list anyone?
Hope she goes well now and there's no more trouble with this SC.
BTW, I have a feeling your clutch solution is going to help a few people in future!

Chris, I hope it holds! Well done mate.

What is that triangular-shaped container on the left for? Some type of water reservoir?

On the picture on your third page i see that some of the cooling air intakes on the lefthand side has been closed up by some previous owner. Maybe this contributed to the engine problems?

Nice that you didnt cut the front. If you want more cooling, maybe move the radiator more forward. Or fit another radiator at the back.

Hope that you are mobile soon.

Thanks for all the comments.

Dawie,the triangular shape container is indeed the resevoir.And the airvents,I didn't even notice that until now.The one vent is indeed "gone".Three on one side and two on the other,but was it made like that,only fig knows.

I just took it for a spin and it runs as smooth as silk! I'm very happy,and it goes well.Worked the whole day to sort out all the little things like the accelerator and some wiring.Connected the fan and the oil pressure gauge.

One water hose must be moved,but that I'll leave for tomorrow.

Hey Chris glad you got all sorted, will pop around tomorrow to see the results, i managed to get the box in the bus, do you have a nother cross member that holds the gear box mounts !!! this one is really f#Ck !!!!

Yes I do.Get it when you pop around tomorrow.

How did it go today Chris ? We are all waiting with baited breath!

karmakoma wrote:How did it go today Chris ? We are all waiting with baited breath!

I saw Chris yesterday, and he had a , so far so good, looks good to, runs well, went for a ride round the complex, nice one Chris !!!!!!

Thanks guys!

She did go well.The throttle still doesn't open all the way and I will have to make a plan to get that sorted,but it will have to wait till the weekend.It runs very well and it sound s great as well.

Well done... its sad that its not acvw anymore... but hey you did a great job!!
Hope this one lasts!!!

hey, nice idea of fitting another engine in there. what eengine is it? is it in a driving condition allready? is ther enough space? where did u fit the radiater?

please up date with some pics... it may help me as i got a splitscreen sc... may by u can pm me i would love to have a look what u did

cheers

A LL THE INFO IS IN THE THREAD !!!!!!!!!!!ALL THE INFO IS IN THE THREAD !!!!!!!!!!!