![AH Engine - rear](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/74_1303_AH_Engine_Original/AH_2018_Tear_Down/1974_Super_Beetle_AH_Engine_Tear_Down_308.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
I spent many hours trying to bathe the case halves and free up as much crud as possible. I was shocked at how much accumulated age and filth washed off and out of the case halves.
![AH Engine - corrosion around the tine mounting points](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/74_1303_AH_Engine_Original/AH_2018_Tear_Down/1974_Super_Beetle_AH_Engine_Tear_Down_314.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
I finally had to turn my attention to the parts that had not easily come off, namely the corroded screws. I had soaked them in mineral spirits to clean them of the crud, I had bathed them multiple times in penetrating oil. I hate probably heated each of the problem areas up over 20 total minutes each with a torch to still not have them come out.
Ultimately, I ended up purchasing a special set of sockets aimed at removing stripped nuts and such. I was able to attach it to a break bar of all things, and that finally was enough torque to remove all of these horrible tin screws.
![AH Engine - corrosion around the tine mounting points](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/74_1303_AH_Engine_Original/AH_2018_Tear_Down/1974_super_beetle_ah_engine_tear_down_322.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
It is really rather shocking how bad the magnesium allow case has corroded around what I assume were basic steel screws. The internal threads seem ok, and the corrosion is pretty much only on the surface and not structural.
![AH Engine - Case saver](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/74_1303_AH_Engine_Original/AH_2018_Tear_Down/1974_Super_Beetle_AH_Engine_Tear_Down_310.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
Now from my research, I know a lot of people leave the cylinder head studs in but I they are so extremely awkward to work around that I decided to use the old two nut method to remove them, along with the other bolts out of the case. Everything was going along smoothly until… and I kid you not… the last stud.
The case saver came out with one of the lower studs at cylinder 1!
I started what would amount to probably 4 total hours of heating, penetrating oil, freezing, heating again, more oil, etc. with the case saver still refusing to come off the stuff.
![AH Engine - Trying to break the case saver off the stud](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/74_1303_AH_Engine_Original/AH_2018_Tear_Down/1974_super_beetle_ah_engine_tear_down_338.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
It was like there is a conscious intent to not come off. (Ultimately, I bought an aftermarket case saver to put back in the case.)
With the studs all out, I continued working on scrubbing the oil out of the accessible galleries and sump. Finally, when mineral spirits seemed to run out clean, I washed it the case with a hose and soapy water and then dried it out with compressed air, trying to force everything through the galleries.
Unfortunately, I had put my power washer away for the year but I decided to do what was mentioned in the Bug Me Videos Vol 3 on engine rebuilding and take it to a self-service car wash. Honestly, that was the best $3 I think I could have spent on this (below). The water is hotter than anything I could easily produce at home, and the pressure at full blast really moved material and can create some massive friction.
![AH Engine - Detail block cleaning at the carwash](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/74_1303_AH_Engine_Original/AH_2018_Tear_Down/1974_super_beetle_ah_engine_tear_down_326.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
It made quick work of the remaining soap and any other debris in the or on the case. Hell, it kind of soaked me as well!
![AH Engine - Case cleaned of grease, oil, and other filth](https://i0.wp.com/zuczek1302.com/wp-content/uploads/74_1303_AH_Engine_Original/AH_2018_Tear_Down/1974_super_beetle_ah_engine_tear_down_329.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
All in all, the deconstruction of the case could have been done in a few hours but I don’t move as fast as I used to. Plus, this entire process is for me to learn, so I spend a lot of time looking at things and inspecting them. Then there’s the various roadblocks I hit along the way involving the corroded tin screws and such that really added to my time.
All in all, I feel like the AH case is ready for rebuild. Well… almost ready.
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