If the heads are packed with the 44/37 valves, they're most likely the Street Eliminator heads. Cb sells these in a whole variety of configurations, but the street versions just have a CNC port and polish, nothing fancy at all.
If anyone is thinking of going at them and opening up the ports, there's a pretty good chance that they'll end up flowing worse than before. I mean, the potential is there for something special, but each piece will need a professional touch to bring it up to "blueprint" spec. If the rumors of the coupe being sold after repairs are made to set it right, best not to monkey with the mill. Once you fuss with one item, you'll need to mess with the rest. The process never ends.
Maybe . . .
Paul, that's a very good question. I was still on good terms with the engine builder when he installed the cooler, so I never asked the question.
if I remember correctly, the one on the right is 'out,' and the thermostatic switch is on the inlet side. I'll get a definitive answer for you soon.
if I remember correctly, the one on the right is 'out,' and the thermostatic switch is on the inlet side. I'll get a definitive answer for you soon.
i posted this on STF:
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7659/minehw9.jpg
top hole is "out" on cooler boss. that would make the left one out (i think)
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7659/minehw9.jpg
top hole is "out" on cooler boss. that would make the left one out (i think)
TC, nobody is going to open up the ports unless they know what they are doing. I agree they might not get any improvement if just hogged out. That is not what I was suggesting.
I was suggesting that since it's all apart, now is the time to do anything Tom wants to make it whatever he wants.
Displacement, cam, rocker ratio, intended powerband, and carburetion used all play a part in how the heads/valves are sized and ported. And let's not forget compression ratio.
I suggested Tom do one of three things: 1)buy new heads and manifolds,2)send his out for welding and porting, 3)leave them alone.
I was suggesting that since it's all apart, now is the time to do anything Tom wants to make it whatever he wants.
Displacement, cam, rocker ratio, intended powerband, and carburetion used all play a part in how the heads/valves are sized and ported. And let's not forget compression ratio.
I suggested Tom do one of three things: 1)buy new heads and manifolds,2)send his out for welding and porting, 3)leave them alone.
My caution on potentially porting those heads more is two-fold:
1.) Unless the person doing the porting knows what they are doing ON TYPE 1 VW HEADS (read that, "not a Harley machine shop") then it's really easy to screw up what you've got to be either worse than what you start with, or un-usable because they take out too much meat somewhere and make them weak or leak.
2.) There isn't a lot of head surface there on which to mount the intake manifolds in the first place, and it is only a two-stud mount on a Type 1. If you remove more material to open the ports to make it flow, the mounting surface for the intake manifold becomes even smaller and then you run the potential of often-leaking intake gaskets.
I have BIG, elliptical-shaped intake ports on my heads, which leaves very little mating surface for the intakes. With a two-stud mount, it means putting up with leaking gaskets a little more often than I might like. I suppose the good news is that the gaskets are relatively easy to change, but it would be better if they lasted a few years at a whack, rather than a year or so.
gn
1.) Unless the person doing the porting knows what they are doing ON TYPE 1 VW HEADS (read that, "not a Harley machine shop") then it's really easy to screw up what you've got to be either worse than what you start with, or un-usable because they take out too much meat somewhere and make them weak or leak.
2.) There isn't a lot of head surface there on which to mount the intake manifolds in the first place, and it is only a two-stud mount on a Type 1. If you remove more material to open the ports to make it flow, the mounting surface for the intake manifold becomes even smaller and then you run the potential of often-leaking intake gaskets.
I have BIG, elliptical-shaped intake ports on my heads, which leaves very little mating surface for the intakes. With a two-stud mount, it means putting up with leaking gaskets a little more often than I might like. I suppose the good news is that the gaskets are relatively easy to change, but it would be better if they lasted a few years at a whack, rather than a year or so.
gn
Gordon, maybe it's time to try a different gasket material.
If they were my heads/manifolds, there is only one place. I would send them to Len at Headflow Masters down in GA. He does all of Jake's, 'nuff said.
If they were my heads/manifolds, there is only one place. I would send them to Len at Headflow Masters down in GA. He does all of Jake's, 'nuff said.
Dan:
I use the mushy ones from CB and I usually install them with a light coating of grease.
Doing them today (again, after Carlisle) and THIS time I'll be running a bead of RTV around the holes, let it set up and then install them and see how long they last this time.
gn
I use the mushy ones from CB and I usually install them with a light coating of grease.
Doing them today (again, after Carlisle) and THIS time I'll be running a bead of RTV around the holes, let it set up and then install them and see how long they last this time.
gn
Gordon.....I lightly coat both sides of the gasket with Permatex Gold RTV and install imediately....Wait 24 hrs, as insurance, then run the devil out of it.....Of course I don't have the over size ports, just standard CB 044's....Don't forget, soft loctite or nylock nuts...loctite prefered.....Good luck..
Roger....Wilco
gn
gn
I've been out of the coupe loop for a while. What's the latest?
Tom's business situation has forced him to put it on the market.
Going to fix it and then sell. Need to set up the next date.
Kind of waiting for engine parts but there is still other stuff to do. What weekends are you available? Please post or email me so I can get the next several dates scheduled.
Just so you all know - I'm still praying for a miracle so I can keep it.
Thanks.
Kind of waiting for engine parts but there is still other stuff to do. What weekends are you available? Please post or email me so I can get the next several dates scheduled.
Just so you all know - I'm still praying for a miracle so I can keep it.
Thanks.
Tom - Wait until it's done, re-evaluate the price and adjust it up. Of course, unless you have already sold it.
Miracles happen every day, so we will keep the faith. The Saudis will pump more, the US will drill more, wind mills will spin more, and folks will want to see the country on the open road again. What you need is cross training: what is it that you do w/ RVs that can be applied elsewhere? Boats? Trailers? Double wides? I'm thinking that as more and more foreclosures rip people out of homes, double-wides may be a growth area? But what do I know? Chin up, old man, and POR.
Tom - Buy up on old coal barges, mount "surplus/non-selling travel trailers on them - and all can thumb their nose as the Mississippi River rises! Of course if mooring ropes aren't strong enough all would end up on beach in Cuba! I still remember seeing shots of the huge casino barges in Buloxi -- 5 blocks inland after Katrina.
I assume the whole Save the Coupe thing is on hold pending new engine parts returned from SoCal. And also the press of business on all hands, and the looming holiday week-end, and the price of gas, and the unhappy prospect of Tom becoming fun-car-less. This last bit is the worst of the story, if you ask me. Maybe "Save the Coupe" needs to turn into "Save the RVs!!" Anyway, is the weekend after the 4th still penciled in for a work detail?? Just asking.
JPS has the parts and is figuring out what they will send me and what they won't.
Next work session, July 11-12, will focus on wiring and non-engine work as Danny P (the motor man) can't be there.
Cory & Teresa are confirmed - anyone else?
Danny - how about the 19-20 weekend or the 26-27 for the next engine work???
Next work session, July 11-12, will focus on wiring and non-engine work as Danny P (the motor man) can't be there.
Cory & Teresa are confirmed - anyone else?
Danny - how about the 19-20 weekend or the 26-27 for the next engine work???
I guess I am a little slow: what is there to "figure out" wrt these parts? You sent JPS a finite number of descrete parts, they (John)send you replacement versions (new?) of those number of parts. What could be simpler? If JPS/GEM wants to return to you one of your parts because he/they believe it to be undamaged, or at least serviceable and not in need of replacement, then here would be my position: if there is such a part in the collection you sent, then they JPS/GEM can keep that part and use it themselves. i.e., they ought to do whatever it takes to get you what you asked for.
PS: I warned you this would happen.
PS: I warned you this would happen.
Teresa has to work in Cape May, New Jersey on the 11th now.
I'm still on for the 11th, though. Kelly, you up for a drive?
I'm still on for the 11th, though. Kelly, you up for a drive?
NO Big surprise . . . . More runaround from you know who. Looking like I must buy all my own stuff. What a horse's rear that guy is. He even remembers Carlisle his way despite several eye witnesses to the contrary.
I'm giving him a day or two more to get on board, but I don't have high expectations given the history and the advise of others to just forget it and move on.
I'm giving him a day or two more to get on board, but I don't have high expectations given the history and the advise of others to just forget it and move on.
Just be glad you DIDN'T ship your car back out to his shop (for remedial repair by the 'scorpian')!
Full speed ahead with your Coupe repair by local SOC wizards!!
Peace - Out!
Full speed ahead with your Coupe repair by local SOC wizards!!
Peace - Out!
What's going on for this weekend? Anybody else game for the 11th?
Cory,
I am traveling this week, and taking chance to visit family in ABQ over the week end. Will miss chance for drive and wrenching. As the saga continues, there will be no engine work yet, but plenty of chassis stuff, I guess. See you next week?
I am traveling this week, and taking chance to visit family in ABQ over the week end. Will miss chance for drive and wrenching. As the saga continues, there will be no engine work yet, but plenty of chassis stuff, I guess. See you next week?
Count on it.
I'll have to miss this one, I just bought a business cab and chassis w/ only 2,700 orginal miles to replace the Dodge dually I am wearing out and have to do a lot of retro fitting etc. ~Alan
Wish I was close enough to come. It'd be fun.
I'll be coming in Friday from Cape May, Tom. I'll have whatever we can get done in eight or so hours, plus the first half of Saturday. I really want to get you back on the road just like everyone else here does.
Tins and wires, I'd think. Should be enough time to do both.
Tins and wires, I'd think. Should be enough time to do both.
This weekend's plan is scrubbed.
Here's the latest:
JPS finally HAS stepped up and is now covering the engine failure on my green coupe. I am shipping the rest of the parts back at John Steele's request. JPS has promised the engine builder will do the rebuild, test and ship it back covered by a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty (and transferable to the new owner if I sell). I agreed to take him up on the offer.
I pulled the carpet and am also sending it back as it is very stained and damaged from all the water. Hopefully JPS will replace it at no cost. we'll see. I have identified some of the water entry points and JPS has agreed to send a set of the splash guards now being used on his recent coupes.
Cory & Teresa are planning wiring clean up and tin refit work in the next few weeks. I know Danny is disappointed about the engine build, but the transferable 12/12 offer on the engine was too big a plus to pass up.
That's it for now.
JPS finally HAS stepped up and is now covering the engine failure on my green coupe. I am shipping the rest of the parts back at John Steele's request. JPS has promised the engine builder will do the rebuild, test and ship it back covered by a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty (and transferable to the new owner if I sell). I agreed to take him up on the offer.
I pulled the carpet and am also sending it back as it is very stained and damaged from all the water. Hopefully JPS will replace it at no cost. we'll see. I have identified some of the water entry points and JPS has agreed to send a set of the splash guards now being used on his recent coupes.
Cory & Teresa are planning wiring clean up and tin refit work in the next few weeks. I know Danny is disappointed about the engine build, but the transferable 12/12 offer on the engine was too big a plus to pass up.
That's it for now.
My fingers are crossed......
Tom--I think that's great news about the engine replacement and I feel a lot better about JPS. I know that what Danny found showed that the damage was not your fault! Great job by Danny Pip and tthe engine crew!
Who was the engine builder?---Jack
Who was the engine builder?---Jack
Actually I am a bit relieved, at least of responsibility! I was looking forward to the rebuild, but I think this is better for you, Tom, the next owner, and even JPS.
You'd better let me, Bill, and Rocky come back and reinstall it, though! Oh, yeah, and that other guy who builds overpriced e-bay cars. Oh, sorry, Alan.
You'd better let me, Bill, and Rocky come back and reinstall it, though! Oh, yeah, and that other guy who builds overpriced e-bay cars. Oh, sorry, Alan.
Bwaaaaa... Thank's Danny !
Jack,
Thanks.
Engine builder (I believe as JPS has not and will not confirm) is GEM of California. NOT to be confused with GEX.
Thanks.
Engine builder (I believe as JPS has not and will not confirm) is GEM of California. NOT to be confused with GEX.
Wow, Tom---what could possibly be a reason that JPS won't reveal the name of the engine builder?? That is so very wierd.
Hang in ther--you are going to get this worked out.---Jack
Tom D - splash guards, a rebuilt engine with warranty, things are looking up my man. Glad that you didn't sell it just yet.
Why not disclose? We're talking John Steele here. I have no idea of "WHY" in reference to the man and his thought process. It has rarely been logical to me. John is just John. He has many interesting "ideas" about protecting his "trade secrets". He always refers to them (GEM) as "my engine builder". Never gives a name.
TOM I CANT FIND NO GEM OF CALIFORNIA AS FAR AS ENGINE BUILDERS ON GOOGLE OR YAHOO R U SURE GEM IS CORRECT. I MET THE GUY ONCE WHEN HE WAS DELIVERING ENGINES BUT I DONT RECALL HIS NAME
After all the B.S. concerning this coupe, I wouldn't want to open another can of worms either...If John gave that info away, you guys would jump all over it...your like a swarm of frigging locust...
You can find GEM at www.gemvw.com