I think that maybe the tang didn't fit into the groove in the end of the cam far enough, Greg, and took a while to wear out.
Cory- Do you know how many miles are on the engine? I think that's the more pertinent question...
Either the wrong pump flat / dish or the pump leaked at one time at the case and some professional' packed a few gaskets between the pump housing and the case face. ....... Just my .02
ALB posted:I think that maybe the tang didn't fit into the groove in the end of the cam far enough, Greg, and took a while to wear out.
Cory- Do you know how many miles are on the engine? I think that's the more pertinent question...
About 6200 miles, ALB...
To add to what I said above, Cory, not having sufficient engagement wouldn't be an immediate fail situation, but exactly what's happened to your engine- it takes a while to wear the end of the drive tang enough that it no longer turns the pump gears, oil pressure drops and "clunk". In this instance it took "about 6200 miles".
I didn't find any spec in the orange Bentley manual (type 1 1970-1979) but Gene Berg (in his instructions) specs drive tang engagement to be .235"- .275", if necessary pressing the shaft further in (or out) to achieve this figure.
And Cory, no need for formality here; call me Al (come on- you know the tune!
)
You know, I never get tired of saying that...
This (right here) is the best and worst of this hobby.
On the debit side, we have what any reasonable person would classify as a horribly unreliable engine/transaxle, powering a car often put together with haste and lack of concern, because frankly-- the builders often don't really expect the car to be more heavily used than the typical golf-cart. Lawn mowers are more reliable and better built. It weeds out the truly sick from the casually infected.
On the credit side, we have a cadre of brothers-in-arms-- guys who've never met, but who stand ready to loan engines, assistance, and friendship to a guy in need. We're all busy. Cory's daughter is getting married in a couple of weeks (for those of you who have never been part of getting a daughter married, all I can say is: whatever madness you think we've got going is steely-eyed rationalism by comparison. Life takes a bend into the surreal, and everything-- from random boutonnieres, to flatware, to the color of the runners becomes something of out-sized expense and import.). The average wedding now costs about what Cory's car did, and $3K+/- is something he'd rather not face right now.
Into the breach steps not one, but two guys who have never met him, but who nevertheless stand as brothers from a different mother.
I'm part of several online forums. This is unique. This is madness of the best and worst kind. This is the baptism of fire. Welcome to it, Cory.
WHY COULDN'T IT BE JUST A QUARTER-INCH LONGER?
(Insert your own "That's what she said" here.)
But STILL... Why doesn't that tang on the oil pump seat itself DEEPLY? Why is the tolerance measured in hundredths of an inch? Why couldn't it just be a full inch long? WHO WOULD BE THE VICTIM?
How can our engines' lives depend upon a half-inch bit that is being spun around like an Iranian centrifuge?
Al. Those Hoover mods arr they implemented by any engine builders we know? I wonder if Pat Downs does these?
If these hold true for a type 4 &I you would think that type I builders would make a point of advertising this point
Stan has stated better than I ever could why I have stayed with this hobby through the various frustrations for more than a decade now. Even if I no longer had a Speedster or similar car I would hang out with you guys - that is, if you'd let me.
Been following your thread Cory and I am GLAD everything is working out! The Speedsters Gods are taking good care of you 
Aw, Stan... You've covered it all, friend.
I wonder how many guys purchase Speedsters, but never learn of this group of encouragers. If I were on my own, I'm sure I'd soon be beaten down by the parade of annoyances that will surely continue down my street.
Well-written, Stan!
Cory, glad you'll be back on the road soon.
My comment on the cam bolts was referencing the fact that the heads appear to be filed or ground down on the flat face. If you look closely you can see the marks I'm talking about. The dish and hash marks aren't out of the ordinary.
Seems odd. Who built the motor?
Here's the build sheet, TRP, from Jim's Custom VW, a shop in Columbiana, Ohio...
Attachments
Images (1)
I am aware of the "Hoover" mod and will discuss it with Cory. There are a lot of things that could be modified or improved while the engine is apart, but I'm pretty sure Cory would prefer to repair the damage with the least amount of "out of pocket" costs. It's all a balancing act.
I'm curious to see what it's going to cost to get his car back from the shop. Labor is nearly $100 an hour, so Cory is going to have to cough up a substantial amount just to start working on it at home.
Paul
Go rent a trailer and tow it back home.
I have a trailer, but my drag car is on for our trip to the Bugorama in Fontana California Saturday. A friend is loaning me a second trailer so my son can take his drag car on the same outing. So tomorrow when I pick up the loaner, I'll swing by and get Cory's car, and engine of course.
The tentative plan is that we'll work on his car next week at my house where all my tools etc are. I'm kind of looking forward to it actually.
Now the question is, will this be a six pack rebuild or a case?
Al this talk about tang...
Has me thinking of two things...
Orange flavored liquid and... good old poontang
Jethro, shame on you. In reference to six pack or case, I never got into drinking. I tried when I was young but was never very good at it. Also, as I age I've noticed brain farts.....which I would not want during assembly of Cory's engine. I absolutely need to keep my concentration, and have my son looking over my shoulder. It's so east to miss one little detail that can lead to big problems.
I'm preaching to the choir for most of you. One of our members, Bruce is very sharp when it comes to his engine. He started with a CB Builder's Choice engine kit, which is supposed to go together like a stock engine, and carefully assembled it. I guess he's had his engine in and out a dozen times trying to get everything dialed in. He can now drive it anywhere, anytime and depend on it. I want Cory to end up with this dependability. If he had stuck with the shop, there would be some kind of guarantee. With us doing it ourselves....... We can only do the best we can do. I wouldn't do it with alcohol on board.
Jethro posted:Al this talk about tang...
Has me thinking of two things...
Orange flavored liquid and... good old poontang
On "That 70's Show " Kelso was reading a "Boys' Life Magazine" and said "boy, I want to be an astronaut because it says here that astronauts get all of the Tang they want."
"The Astronauts" was one of my band name considerations at one point :-)
Let me say this though, my 21 year old son and I have built several engines and drag race our bugs. We've made a couple hundred passes and never had an engine break, knock on wood. Our engines turn 8000 rpm and we've never had an engine go BANG. That's remarkable really.
Hey guys, have a look at Cory's build sheet, well it's actually a bill, and see if you think his engine was balanced. I imagine I'll see evidence on the crank and flywheel. I can weigh the rods and pistons myself just to be sure.
But I would think there would be a line item referring to balancing, wouldn't I?
I guess the oil pump and cam were reused too as neither are listed on the bill. On rebuild - you'll need to replace cam bearings and I'd replace cam too with mild performance one (extra $100). I would also pull all oil seal plugs and tap for aluminum screw in plugs - this will let all oil runs to be flushed of any metal residue.
Engle 120. Best all around cam for a nice 2110. The new 044 Panchito heads http://www.cbperformance.com/P...5-92-Bore-p/1672.htm from CB would wake this lil feller right up. All of this would be less than $800.
And if your old heads are still good, sell them and recoup a little back.
Yeah, he's got good heads and we're trying to contain cost. The shop is recommending a cam and lifters, and bearings of course. We'll make sure the case is good and clean. I imagine the oil pump needs to be replaced too.
I have a valve spring compressor so we'll check the valve guides at the very least.
Inexpensive way to check valves is to turn the heads up on cardboard, , pour a bit of water or thin oil over the valves and let them sit over night see if it leaks
Good Idea, I'll do that
You know, I think everyone who owns one of these beautiful little cars should have a second engine stored away in the corner of the garage just in case. If the car goes down, a days work and you're back on the road and you can take your time fixing whatever happened. Then switch them back or not, depending on what you have.
I keep a 1600cc on hand just in case!
UPDATE ---------- UPDATE ---------- UPDATE ---------- UPDATE
Some days you win.
Some days you win BIG.
For those following this saga, in our last episode, our hero was left dangling above the jaws of a $3100 repair bill, but was miraculously rescued by Paul Ellis, who snatched him from certain debt by offering to finish the job at his home shop.
However, in a clever cliffhanger, the producers left us wondering how much the shop would charge our man for the work the garage had already accomplished.
Are you sitting down?
$462.
That's right. $462. Our hero feared the possibility of a MUCH higher bill, but the look on his face upon hearing the total was a beautiful thing to behold...
St. Paul Ellis will pick up the Speedster and its intestines on Friday, and all will be set right during the month of October! 
PaulEllis posted:You know, I think everyone who owns one of these beautiful little cars should have a second engine stored away in the corner of the garage just in case. If the car goes down ... you can take your time fixing whatever happened...
Great idea, Paul, but that still leaves you vulnerable to problems in the gearbox, clutch, brakes, suspension, and electrical systems.
I think anyone who owns one of these beautiful little cars should have a second Speedster stored away in the garage - just in case. You can take your time fixing whatever happened or just sell it on eBay.
Actually, I think that's how most of the cars on eBay end up there in the first place.
PaulEllis posted:Yeah, he's got good heads and we're trying to contain cost.
Where is the fun in that? Part of the service we offer is spending other people's money.
The only reason I brought up those heads is that I did not see anything on the build sheet. If what he has is stock "big valve" Auto Lineas, the heads I was referring to would be an order of magnitude better. If they are ported, please just disregard the man out in the middle of nowhere.
Stan - Someone has to stoke the MADNESS. Who better than you. Your "st"r"oked" engine sure got more than it's fair share of MADNESS .
I sure wouldn't put it back in without a new A1 exhaust either.
Sacto Mitch posted:PaulEllis posted:You know, I think everyone who owns one of these beautiful little cars should have a second engine stored away in the corner of the garage just in case. If the car goes down ... you can take your time fixing whatever happened...
Great idea, Paul, but that still leaves you vulnerable to problems in the gearbox, clutch, brakes, suspension, and electrical systems.
I think anyone who owns one of these beautiful little cars should have a second Speedster stored away in the garage - just in case. You can take your time fixing whatever happened or just sell it on eBay.
Actually, I think that's how most of the cars on eBay end up there in the first place.
I id that for a few years myself...thus the nick name "Dos-Speedies"
Stan Galat, '05 IM, 2276, Nowhere, USA posted:PaulEllis posted:Yeah, he's got good heads and we're trying to contain cost.
Where is the fun in that? Part of the service we offer is spending other people's money.
The only reason I brought up those heads is that I did not see anything on the build sheet. If what he has is stock "big valve" Auto Lineas, the heads I was referring to would be an order of magnitude better. If they are ported, please just disregard the man out in the middle of nowhere.
He's got CB cnc ported heads
Paul I think everyone here is putting together a list of items that they will want you to put in Cory's engine. Don't even worry about cost. It's more important to let everyone here dictate the engine build... Best to just say yes to all requests then just do what you do best!
Stan Galat, '05 IM, 2276, Nowhere, USA posted:PaulEllis posted:Yeah, he's got good heads and we're trying to contain cost.
Where is the fun in that? Part of the service we offer is spending other people's money.
Yes!!! ...and our man Cory is LOADED!!!! It's spending time!
This is getting fun now...
Rusty S posted:Stan Galat, '05 IM, 2276, Nowhere, USA posted:PaulEllis posted:Yeah, he's got good heads and we're trying to contain cost.
Where is the fun in that? Part of the service we offer is spending other people's money.
Yes!!! ...and our man Cory is LOADED!!!! It's spending time!
Wrong kind of loaded
crhemi (Bill) poboiinhawaii posted:He's got CB cnc ported heads
Yeah. I missed that on the itty-bitty phone picture. My bad. I'll bet they're nice, too.
Cory: Now you can spend that money we just saved on..... 