Date:         Sun, 6 May 2007 10:20:46 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: vanagon Digest - 5 May 2007 to 6 May 2007 - Special issue
              (#2007-466)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

>Date:    Sun, 6 May 2007 01:49:07 -0700
>From:    Thomas Pfrommer <pfrommer@PHAS.UBC.CA>
>Subject: Re: oil pressure
>
>Hi Jonathan,
>thanks for your reply .. line bore? I apologize for my ignorance,  but
>could you please explain to me what you mean?
>Thanks
>Thomas
>
>
Thomas,

It's actually "align" bore.  The case is bolted together and all the
crankshaft journals are measured for proper alignment, size, and
ovality.  If all is OK, then you're good to go.  If not, then the case
gets align bored so that all the journals are perfectly round and
aligned.  This then requires an oversized (O.D.) main bearing.  The type
1 case (which the 2.1 WBX is almost a clone of) *always* required
align-boring, whereas the 2.0L aircooled rarely did/do, and I don't have
enough experience with a WBX case to know its' likelihood.  Ben or Bob
could give you a better idea.  Clearly if you are using standard main
bearings, the case was not align bored.  I would question the shop to
make sure they checked it for align bore and journal ovality.  I'm also
puzzled that you say the shop "machined" the crankshaft.  You *cannot*
use standard bearings if the crank was 'machined'.  Even it they just
polished the crank (with the number of miles it likely has on it), it's
very likely your bearing clearances are out of spec.  The 2.1L's are
also notorious for distorting the crank end rod bearing journals (they
go oval). If these weren't checked, and verified to be good, you really
have no idea what your bearing clearances are.  My advice would be to
first put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the system and verify the
actual oil pressure.  If you find it is really low, since you've changed
the pressure relief spring, then there's only three options...oil pump,
main bearings, rod bearing, or a combination thereof.  Good luck,

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)