Date:         Mon, 10 Apr 1995 18:19:28 +0600
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         anon869@vt.edu (Christopher Bridge)
Subject:      Re: Universal Cases

>Does anyone know how to identify a universal case.  I need to find a
>motor for my '69 squareback, and am wondering what to look for when I go
>searching through junkyards.  Type III's are much rarer than busses, so
>assume it would be easier to find a motor from a bug or 68-71 bus.  Am I
>correct to assume that most newly built motors are built with the
>Universal Cases?  
>Actually before I go shelling money out for a new case, I'd be curious
>to know if anyone thinks that my case is rebuildable.  When I bought the
>car it ran okay, but leaked lots of oil.  I suspected push rod tubes/oil
>cooler etc, but when I took the engine tin off, I noticed that all of
>the bolts that held the cases halves together were loose(one had
>actually fallen off).  One mechanic I talked to said that because the
>engine had been run "loose", the case would never seal right again.  I
>never actually cracked the case to assess the damage, I just bolted it
>back together, but it didn't really help the oil leak problem.  Has
>anyone ever had this happen on a vw motor.  
>
What you might have is a "fretted" case.  You have to look at the case 
sealing surface to see these marks.  (i.e. crack the baby open.)  If this is 
the case, the case is junk.  Pull up a six pack and a couple of buds, and 
roast some marshmallows.

All universal cases I have seen have the letter B with no numbers stamped on 
case. They all have the three bolt holes for the crossmember, and the T3 oil 
filler hole.

  Chris Bridge
  
  ''71 Westy (Sportsmobile?)
  Favorite quotes:
  "Virginia Tech- yea, the best 5, or maybe even 6 years of your life."
  "They even throw in the stomach ulcers for free." 
  E-mail cbridge@vt.edu