crankcase opinions.(standard 1600)

[Garrick Clark]

Hi guys.
I'm after some opinions on my crank case.
Basically the engine has a rumble.
stripped it down to short block,someones installed the con rods wrong
the mark on the conrod beam is pointing down not up.
split the case,case saddles look good,bigend shells are fine also,
what i have found is that number 3 exhaust cam follower looks to have stopped rotating
and has a cam lobe sweep mark on the follower head,the other followers
seam to be ok and look to be rotating in there bores,
when i put the followers in the bores and lift them say 10mm
they do tend to rock a little,say 2 tho side to side movement
what i need to no is are these cam bores still ok or has the case had
its day,  
Cheers for any replies

[Type1/DVK]

the mark on the conrod beam is pointing down not up.

This is correct, they have to face up. The bearing tangs (notches inside the bearing) have to face down.

If the bores for the followers are shot, they rock in their bore that case is a no-go. Or you have to bush them for lightweight followers (straight!) I had the exact same noise/problem  (bores were loose) and a different case solved it.

Good luck.

[65bug]

Even some brand new cases have had the lifter bores destroyed in less the 5000 miles. I would consider a few things first:

1. How many miles are on the case? If the mileage is low, have the bores re-sleeved with brass. Check through everything to make sure your good to go.
2. If the case has high mileage, trash it and purchase a new genuine VW case.
     Many older cases need to be line bored. However, if it's not done perfectly you will never get correct oil pressure numbers. The motor WILL run hotter and wear out much quicker.
    Time is money, my opinion is do it right the first time

[TexasTom]

Nobody can tell you with absolute certainty whether 'this amount' of rocking in the lifter bore is OK or not.
Have them measured by someone with a dial bore guage and check them to factory specifications, Bently Manual. Also, the tolerance to Your lifters should be considered. I've measured many different brand lifters and found many different diameters ... measure Everything, Twice.
If your bores are out of tolerance, bronze bushings are your best bet!
TxT

[qubek]

(...)
2. If the case has high mileage, trash it and purchase a new genuine VW case.
     Many older cases need to be line bored. However, if it's not done perfectly you will never get correct oil pressure numbers. The motor WILL run hotter and wear out much quicker.
(...)

Some new genuine VW cases need to be line bored as well. Right from the box.

[Garrick Clark]

Thanks for the replies guys.
this motor does have good oil pressure,
case is stripped and cleaned,it has been align bored, its been running about 2yrs,
reason for the strip down is it has a jingling noise when its running,
sounds like a worn top pully,so only thing av found wrong with it is the lifter bores
and the incorrectly fitted con rods, small ends are fine also
1 of the cam followers looks like it has stopped rotating as the face of the follower
has  a cam lobe swipe mark on it.carn't see any other reason for this noise no
other parts  look worn. i have tried some the lifters in an old case i have and there is no wobble
so the width of the duff followers must be right.
Am gunna get it sleeved,rebuild it n see how it sounds.