Date:         Thu, 8 Aug 2002 22:39:22 -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.
Comments: To: shea@gtsdesign.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi Stan!

Thanks for the detailed reply!  I was confused because I forgot that
you'd given a pointer to a picture.  Whoops!

Ok, I'm finally looking at the picture.  So what we're seeing is the back
of the bearing shell where the registration pin bit into it?  And as a
result of the bearing shell being misalignment, the oil hole for that
bearing is blocked.

****** The shell stood off of the engine case and allowed oil to blow
by/bypass before it got to the bearing.  I don't claim guru status on
Type IV engines but I'm guessing that this rebuild had less than 10K on
it. I judge this by the hardness if the carbon deposits on pistons and
under valves and the cross hatch marks in the cylinders.******

The reason for the lack of oil pressure I'm not so clear on, I can't
remember where the oil hole is with respect to the registration pin,

****** It is about 180 degrees off, almost opposite the oil hole. ****

but if they're near each other I can imagine oil coming out freely under
the shell... is that what was happening?

********** I wasn't the fly on the wall but I'm speculating that since
the pin was making the bearing oval the and the bearing closest to the
oil pump, it substantially reduced oil volume and pressure to all other
bearings *************

I recall having a hell of a time getting the case to go together easily
on my '81.  Kept knocking stuff out of alignment, etc.

*********** Been there done that but I use the carpenters rule, measure
twice, cut once. Just keep double checking and always keep the book open
even if you've done this job 1000 times.
*****

But it's easy to tell when everything is right.

Regards,

        Gary
 http://www.williamwareagency.com/forsale/stanvan/pin.jpg

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