Rod side clearance

[stealth67vw]

I just started putting together my short block. I'm using a 10 year old Bugpack 78mm VW journal crank and new CB 5.5s (.885" wide). My side clearance is .022". Do you guys consider this excessive? It's going in my daily driver.

[stealth67vw]

I'm also going to run a Berg 30mm pump if oil pressure would be a concern.

[JS]

Just curious: Why are you running a 30mm pump?

[stealth67vw]

Because I already have it. I plan on running an external cooler too.

[Airspeed]

0.022" (0.55mm) seems a bit much, but not much you can do about it other than change crank or rods I suppose.
My engines usually come out to be 0.015" or 0.40mm

[stealth67vw]

My Bentley manual says .028" is the wear limit, so I think I'll be just fine.

[Jim Ratto]

run your 30mm pump, make sure gears don't rub cover (seen it w/ Kyle's motor!!), make sure other tolerances fall into spec, keep oil under 200F, run a good 15W40 or 20W50 oil with good anti-wear additives, don't let it idle at 700rpm when hot, and you'll be fine. Plenty of spilloff for cam and lifters! 

 

[stealth67vw]

Berg blueprinted pump and cover, Setrab or B.A.M.(Big Ass Mesa) with 180 thermostat and fan and Mobil Delvac 15w40 ($8.97 for 5 quarts at Wal Mart this morning) with STP red additive. FK-45 and IDAs won't idle at 700. I should be covered.

How wide are Derek's rods at your house Jim?

[Jim Ratto]

Berg blueprinted pump and cover, Setrab or B.A.M.(Big Ass Mesa) with 180 thermostat and fan and Mobil Delvac 15w40 ($8.97 for 5 quarts at Wal Mart this morning) with STP red additive. FK-45 and IDAs won't idle at 700. I should be covered.

How wide are Derek's rods at your house Jim?

let me run home from work and check them for you. 

HTF should I know?!!! 

[stealth67vw]

You put Derek's crank and rods together didn't you? Does baby making cause memory loss?

[Jim Ratto]

You put Derek's crank and rods together didn't you? Does baby making cause memory loss?

yeah back in MARCH. Different crank too (DPR)

 

[stealth67vw]

I'm sorry Jimmy. May I ask that when you arrive at your humble abode this fine evening is Simi Valley, that you use a calibrated measuring device to measure said connecting rods on their larger end, as to their width in the nearest thousandths of an inch. It would be most appreciated. Thank you. 

[Jim Ratto]

I'm sorry Jimmy. May I ask that when you arrive at your humble abode this fine evening is Simi Valley, that you use a calibrated measuring device to measure said connecting rods on their larger end, as to their width in the nearest thousandths of an inch. It would be most appreciated. Thank you. 

hey John, sorry man it will have to wait until next week... we're scrambling to get out of town tomorrow afternoon.

[Jordy/DVK]

Berg blueprinted pump and cover

 Just a little sidestep. Can anyone explain "blueprinting" to me in a few words. (don't want to hijack the topic)
 I read it a lot, but don't really know what exactly it means in engine building terms. (I DO know what a blueprint in general is...)
 Thanks!

[louisb]

Short answer is taking a part and trying to make it as close to the factory 'blueprint" for that part as possible. Due to manufacturing tolerances parts are never manufactured exactly as they were designed to be. Take pistons for example. You have to get them equal in weight, set the correct deck height, the clearances for the pin, the cylinder, etc.

--louis

[Alan Uyeno]

Berg blueprinted pump and cover, Setrab or B.A.M.(Big Ass Mesa) with 180 thermostat and fan and Mobil Delvac 15w40 ($8.97 for 5 quarts at Wal Mart this morning) with STP red additive. FK-45 and IDAs won't idle at 700. I should be covered.

How wide are Derek's rods at your house Jim?

alot of side clearance will certainly allow more flow of oil for the conrods.

If your questioning oil viscosity selection its very easy. Hit your operating tempeture and put a mechanical oil pressure guage on the engine. Now if your getting aproximately 10psi per 1000 rpm you have the correct oil viscosity. IF your alot higher than the "rule of thumb" step down on the viscosity. You may find a 0w30, 5w30 or 10w30 will hit the oil pressure target range.

15w40 is too thick IMO for most street beetles.

A 30mm pump is absolutely fine. Just adjust the oil viscosity to meet the 10psi per 1000rpm  range. If you use synthetic the high viscosity index helps because cold synthetic pours thin unlike dino oil thick mollasses.