Loose head??

Took my buddy for a ride, in third gear running at 4000 rpm the engine makes a weird throaty sound small lost in power, buddy thinks it's a loose head, how do i know?? could it be a setting in the carb(Webber 40's)?? Cabanaboy ~ Going in!!

Do a compression check. When you rebuilt engine did you use case saver steel thread inserts? If not, the head studs tend to pull out of the case - bummer. If you are real lucky you might just be able to retorque the head bolts in proper sequence. Could be lot of other things too - but low compression is sure sign of lose head seal or bad valve.

Is your friend very knowledgable of vw's? If so he may be able to call it right off the bat. The loose heads I have come across (besides the ones found by accident) make a popping sound as if
lifting off cyl during compression stroke. Kinda like a small exhaust leak/popping but there are 20 different things to check first.

Thanks Wolfgang/Bruce, what's the other 20 things I need too check?? If it's something I can handle I'm on it. Cabanaboy

Desi, if you're at all concerned about the source of the sound, try a few things first doing a compression test. If you have a loose head, you're going to have to remove the valve train and upper tin to re-torque the heads. (If you re-torque one head, I'd suggest you spend the time and re-torque the other cylinder head.

Spray ether (starting spray obtained at any auto parts store) around the base of the carb. manifolds. If the engine rev's up, you have a loose manifold and or a bad gasket. Spray some ether fluid around the base of the carb wehre it meets the manifold, same thing. If it rev's then the same as above.

Regardless, heads should be re-torqued after about 3,000 miles of operation and sometimes sooner after a rebuild.

Are you in So. Calif?? If so, you can contact me for more information or you can bring it by my home/shop for repairs.

Larry, I may take you up on your offer,I'll do the spray/visual check, if that doesn't work, the question your shop or mine?? Saturday looks good ( maybe do Coffee & Cars that should get us motivated) Cabanaboy ~ BIG MAHALO

Desi -

I'm guessing that with all the custom fabrications the previous owner applied for his race-applications, he would have used case-saver inserts for the head-studs during his engine build. Hopefully it's something as simple as re-torquing the heads (as per method mentioned by Larry).

Let me kmow if I can give you a hand at the shop if you decide to tackle it on your own!

Thanks Jim, great show at Dana Point, I'm thinking hard top with beehives old scool outlaw, see how this investmest deal works out.
Cabanaboy

Right On!!

Desi,

I have (2) 550 Spyders I'm currently working on for customers.
One, has a Subaru that had a horizontal radiator mounted below the engine cover vents that wouldn't cool the engine so, I installed a front radiator with -20 Stainless Steel wrapped water lines from the front to the rear, a battery cut off switch, water temperature gauge and leather engine lid straps (this owner lives in Simi Valley).

The other car is a real gem, it has an aluminum interior and all of the bells and whistles. The owner, who lives in Concord, CA wants the engine compartment dressed up with stainless steel wrapped lines, an electric fuel pump, Dario valve covers (look like the 4 cam covers) and a few other odds and ends then a complete tune up.

I won't be free until Thursday July 19th

Larry,
Get that Concord car done quick -- he has a date to drive with me on the 29th. I can't wait to see that one. I hear it's knocked the cover off the ball.

Desi,
Hang around with Larry, you'll like it.

Mark

Mark, Harry dropped off the car yesterday and left his enclosed trailer at my home. He's driving back to Concord then returning next Wednesday (July 18th) to pick up the car. I'm sure he will be ready for your run.

It really is a NICE looking car.

Larry,
Thanks for the post, it would be interesting to see that aluminum imterior/ss engine compartment?? Today I have some time to spray the manifolds, by the way do you know how to tune/adjust Webbers? I'm feeling a little hestation around 3700 rpm, really noticable in 3rd gear? may be part of the same problem. Cabanaboy ~ Mahalo

Yes, at my home/shop, I do everything from installing electric fuel pumps, swapping 4 lug to 5 lug hubs/brakes, minor and major tune ups, installing new shifters, modifying carb linkage etc etc etc.

Webers are no problem.

but can you core a apple? in my best Ralph Kramden voice.

Bruce.....TO THE MOOOOOON!!!

Yes, I have one of those "things" that you place on top of the apple then "PUSH", It cuts the apple into 6 equal slices and leaves the core for disposal.

Larry, I've been researching info on weber carbs I think maybe it's time to rebuild and possibly upgrade them, could you pm me with a estimate. www.desitint.com Cabanaboy ~ duel carbs ~

Larry, check e-mail did'nt get your info, would like to bring Tufftub in Thursday 7-19-07 in the a.m. Cabanaboy

I sent directions again. If it doesn't show up check your spam folder
I'll call you this morning

Larry

I dropped TuffTubb over at Larry Jowdy's(Da Fuzz)garage/shop, he's got a sweet set up! Gave him my list of problems and let him do his thing. It's always a great thing when you hookup the guy who knows how to get it done, the right way, very meticuelas. I'm very pleased in the way TuffTubb is running(it got it's mojo back!!) By the way the head's where not loose,service list included - total tune-up,carbs synced,modified linkage no more slop,valves adjusted, timing,and also tweaked on my fuel sender(no more guessing)If you are stumped on a problem give him a shout. Cabanaboy ~ installing tonneuo cover this week!

Drop the Tub off to check the squeaking noise in the right rear disc, Paul over at C&F finds that the master brake cylinder is not working right, i'm just braking with the front brakes only, no cruizing this weekend he also confirms head is diffenently loose, back to square one, I hope by retorquing and checking we can get a fix on this problem. Cabanaboy ~ down but not out!!

Back on 7-9 your buddy thought it was a loose head (I didn't believe it, it seemed to jump over a few steps in the trouble shooting). But as it turns out
"he's a sharp guy"

Tubb is back at Larry J Garage, we might have too drop the engine ?? But I hope it's not that serious!! Cabanaboy ~ Serious are you kidding?

Got the phone call from Larry, he drop the engine to find one of the studs on #3 cylinder broken which caused a compression leak he cleaned every thing up and did a leak test with good results ( I may need rings later) Hope to have it back on the road soon. Cabanaboy ~ almost up and running (RIGHT)!!