Vintage Speedster Oil Breather Pipe

Hi,

I have just purchased a vintage speedster with a 1600 twin carb engine, it would appear that there is an additional pipe running from the oil filler pipe back into one of the air filters on the carb. I have noticed that there is now a build up of oil on that air filter where oil appears to be coming from the pipe. Is this normal ?

Also what should a 1600vw engine rev up to ? This engine is not happy beyond 4000rpm?

Excuse my ignorance re these engines.

TIA

Kevin

ya - it's supposed to be a breather and the idea is to burn the oil fumes.

there are lots of options to vent the crankcase:
http://www.cip1.ca/SearchResults.asp?Search=breather&Search1=Search

i personally vented my heads and my oil filler tube to keep valve cover gaskets in check.

may folks vent to the carbs. it's easy to do, but does make a mess if you have too much stuff to venting.

hope that helps.

oh and your comment on the rev... it's the cam / springs that are limiting you. these motors can go upwards of 6500rmp on a balanced, cam'd motor. of course it gets crazier with dual valve springs, etc.

what is happening is your stock motor is running out of breath. :)

Mango

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. So nothing specific to worry about just a matter of looking into possible better alternatives.

Thanks again

You can add a breather box too - along with valve cover venting to it. I used:

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-5376

Are valves properly adjusted, points and timing set right on engine? These would limit revs too.

Kevin, several things could be going on with your engine. You indicated that your engine was "not happy" above 4,000 RPM's.

Also, you indicated that you have twin carburetors but failed to indicate if each carburetor is a single or double barrel carburetor.

If the engine is a stock engine, its dimensions are as follows: 69 mm stroke from the crankshaft and 85.5mm piston bore. More that likely your crankshaft is not counterweighted or balanced.

Most stock 1,600 cc VW cars were capable of 85 to 90 MPH which in turn translates to roughly 4,200 to 4,500 RPM's and a stock VW wasn't very aerodynamic.
Having twin carburetors, (single or double barrel) is an increase over stock carburation which was a single small carburetor. I would think that your cars profile vs a stock VW would allow your engine to propel your car a bit faster than roughly 80 MPH. It's possible that you may need a little bit of tune up work done to your engine.

Is it a new car or did you buy it used?

Kevin-pull your spark plugs and analyze their condition. (There are comparative charts on-line that show different burn patterns-ID your brand of plug and check that web-site 1st.) If they are loaded up (wet/oily) it'll be obvious right away. Clean and gap them or replace them. See if this makes any difference. If this doesn't make a difference in performance, move on to the next thing-like the distributor/points/wires. Also describe your engine: carburetion, ignition, any modifications etc.