Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2002 22:53:53 -0500
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Why this type IV engine caught fire,
spun the mains and ruined everything.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Bob Said: Stan you have overlooked the obvious this was in my opinion an
insurance scam to recoup his losses this van was torched when he could
not make the engine work.
Stan Replies: It wasn't insured other than Liability. Doubt the torch
aspect.
Bob Said: the type 4 case does not snap in place. the 6 large bolts that
hold the case together use plastic locators to center the studs between
the two halves. they prevent the case from closing and only when the
bolts are tightened would the binding crank become apparent.
Stan Replies: I agree about the serrated alignment locaters but I've
always used a rubber mallet on a piece of 2x4 to set the cases and I get
a resounding snap. Apparently when I hit it right it sets correctly. I
admit I've pulled cases apart several times when I was in doubt and found
mis aligned pins. I think old hands at rebuilding engines always have
"Technique" that works best for them. I've found that when installing
windage trays it actually comes down to crushing the seals to get the
case closed (another story).
Glad to see the heat drove you inside so you could visit on the list for
a few minutes. We always look forward to you comments.
Stan Wilder
On Thu, 8 Aug 2002 21:41:37 -0400 "Robert Donalds" <bostneng@fcl-us.net>
writes:
Stan
I have disassembled my share of core engines only to toss them in the
trash and I paid good money for the privilege to do so
I have missed located a dowel pin or 2 in my time and I can say with
confidence that the crankshaft does not turn as easily when this happens.
The engine in the picture bound from the moment the case was closed and
the engine if it started seized in a matter of moments. This was done by
a novice with no idea how the engine should feel as it went together.
case in point I rebuilt a vanagon engine that spun nicely on the
engine stand and it seized after 5 seconds spinning with the starter
motor. (I felt like burning that van it a that point) After taking it
apart I discovered the small nose bearing seized the problem was the
dowel pin was to long it measured 8.28 MM that is .011ths to long and it
was just lightly pressing on the bearing and touching the crank the pin
had points on its ends that stuck out and increased the pins overall
length. needless to say I now measure all the dowel pins and trim the
points off when needed. The older single port and forty hp engines I
later started to notice have dowel pins that are exactly 8mm in length
and I use that as my spec for main bearing dowel pins. the day that
engine seized was also the day I cut down a bell housing and started
spinning engines on the assembly stand to check for oil pressure, leaks
and other problems before they are installed.
Stan you have overlooked the obvious this was in my opinion an insurance
scam to recoup his losses
this van was torched when he could not make the engine work
the type 4 case does not snap in place. the 6 large bolts that hold the
case together use plastic locators to center the studs between the two
halves. they prevent the case from closing and only when the bolts are
tightened would the binding crank become apparent
Bob Donalds
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