Post one:
Ok guys, this is where I will start the engine post, with pictures and descriptions of what pictures are. First I just wanted to say thanks for the Lounge, and everybody who keeps it up and going, this is the best VW forum around, hands down. Second, thanks to Frank (sheep), Derek (kafercup) and Diederick (67-indeed) for letting me take pics of your hot rod parts, as your stuff comes together. Right now my own stuff is in the car running, and will stay there as long as I can keep it happy.
Reason I wanted to do this was because recently, my father in law and I enrolled in a free instructional class to learn how to fly fish (thanks again to sheep for getting us into f.f. and the equipment
) down here in L.A. It was a 4 week course, and the amount of info these hardcore guys shared with us was amazing....and for free to boot. Real enthusiasts doing what they love to do and having fun sharing their know-how. So I was so impressed I wanted to pass on what I like to do (write and build old VW engines).
Point I want to make: There are a variety of ways to do this engine building thing, and the way I do it isn't the "right way" it is just the way that has worked for me, and I change the way I do it if I learn something new, but basically this way has done the job for me. Hopefully, if you want, the same methods will work for you.
Second point: I often hear people say they want to build the "shortblock" and let it sit and wait while they source the top end stuff to finish the "longblock".
I really suggest against building the motor in stages like that. If you cook yourself a hamburger at home, do you grill up the meat until done, then set it aside and go to grocery store to buy the buns and mayo and so on? No, because once you got back to the meat, it would be cold and disgusting. You get that burger together because you've got the stuff to make it. Same thing with making an engine. Don't build "part" of it and then run to store to buy heads or rockers or whatever....make sure you have
everything before you bolt motor together.
The first posts will be pictures of tools I use and then all the little junk, distributor end play shims, case washers, cam plug, oil pump nuts, valve adjusters, etc. I will number each post so we can go back and talk about the pics later in another post.
The Cal-look Lounge
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