New Engine Break In

Without pulling engine and all the cooling tin you can only retorque half the head bolts.  To me that is worse than retorquing none.  I'd check the valves just for grins - could wait tile 1k miles. 

300-500 miles is the perfect time to adjust the valves on a new motor.  Don't wait any longer. Al

Wolfgan, the tin is really close, I'll have to see how this will work once I pop off the valve cover. thank  you for your reply.

ALB thank you for your reply, I agree, better safe than sorry. 1st valve check under 500 miles sound much better to me.

Here you go.  Break-in checklist:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/for...ewtopic.php?t=151510

Bear in mind you might see a lot of technical argument on this forum and will have to sift through it.

I'm only about 30 minutes north of Orange, in Ontario and I've worked on many, many speedsters belonging to members of this board.   If you're interested email me at  ljowdy   at   aol   dot com

Bluespeedster,

I live in Orange and have been using Larry for both of my replicas for several years.  It's worth the drive for the quality of work and peace of mind.  If you have any questions feel free to call me at 714-393-8547.

I too have and would not hesitate to take my speedster to Larry. He is a great guy, knows his stuff and even has wifi in the garage for you!!!! His place is also very easy to find!!!

That Samba thread looks like a parody. First, run 30 quarts of Brad Penn oil through the engine in 40 minutes on the stand. Discard oil. Then deframbulate the Nickodium Ionizer, reinstall the engine and drive NO MORE THAN 38 MILES, varying the speed between 32 and 48 mph. Discard the oil, pull the engine, retorque the frangilator bolts and adjust the valves. Then drive as normal until your 1,000 mile checkup. . . .

I mean, really, boys. It's a frickin' Volkswagon. 

Over the past 43 years, I've built 100's of VW engines.   At one point in time (1970's) I was building 3 engines a week, removing 3 engines from customer cars and installing 3 engines.  (all of this while I was working the Sheriff's Dept.)   

As far as break in, my theory is this, put some good grease on the cam and lifters, (I used paste white lithium, start the engine and drive away.   I've NEVER had an engine come back for any problem related to "break in"   

I always told my customers to drive it like you stole it for the first 500 miles.  At that time, I'd change the oil and do a valve adjustment and away they went.  

Funny stuff, right there. Rock on, Ed!

Gordon thank you for the link

Larry i have your email in my repair folder

Tom i would like to give you a call sometime. i think we may have met at the shell station on tustin st and 55, months before i bought my vs. i remember your commnets starting with a VW engine and now running subi. Thank U everyone for helping.

Another vote here for Larry's garage in Ontario! Take the guesswork out who to trust with the well-being of your Speedster!