For the most part, when I bought the AS41 case I ended up putting it aside and not thinking about it too much since I had always intended the AH Engine to be the source for my first rebuild. Today is the first day I really gave the new case a good once over to…
Category: Projects
My engine build – A change of direction!
So after some serious thought yesterday and today, I’ve decided to go in a slightly different direction for the AH engine rebuild that I’ve been working on. I decided that since I bought a brand new AS41 case in November 2018 I may as well truly build a 100% 0 mile engine, since 95% or…
AH Engine – There shall come a short block!
So I took everything out today. I redid the distributor drive pinion gear and made sure it was properly lubed and smoothly spinning. I swapped out the EMPI generic 009 for the Kuhltek electronic SVDA Distributor I had originally planned to put on this engine way back when it was still in the 74. The…
AH Engine – Day 2 – Crank and cam assembly and pressure valves
One thing I can say is no matter how much I read over the past 6 months or how many videos I watched during this preparation period, it barely prepares you for the actual work itself once you start. So one thing I realized this morning is that the 8 dowels in my my SCAT…
AH Engine – Day 1 – Case and bearings
It has started! Without the crankshaft assembly together, nor the camshaft cleaned, there wasn’t much to do other than give the case one more once over, another cleaning to get the last remnants of any metals out, and get it on the stand. The above pic is the last pic of the case by itself! …
AH Engine – Let the parts cleaning begin!
There’s quite a lot of parts to clean and get ready for the assembly, not notably the crank, cam, and rods at this stage. I’ve read and seen a ton of different methods for parts cleaning and prep prior to assembly so I’ve decided to go with the following method for my work: Step 1…
AH Engine – Last Minute Case Prep
So the trials and tribulations of find local AN fittings that will fit without too much case modding proved not to be. Even with some other people’s photos of their layouts, all of the similar 90° fittings I could find had “nuts” that were just too thick, taking a massive chunk out of the pulley…
AH Engine – To tap for oil temperature or not?
The simplicity of the VW Type 1 engine, and the actual car itself, more or less harkens back to an era when simplicity reigned. Especially since simplicity didn’t add any cost. Another major missing “feature” of the engine is the lack of both a true oil pressure sender and gauge as well as an oil…
AH Engine – Porting the new oil pump for better flow.
Now there is one simple mod I came across many times in my research and that involves porting the oil inlet into the pump. Now the Schadek 26mm Oil Pump I purchased has no oil outlet. It is designed purely for use in full flow systems so I didn’t have to tap and plug it…
AH Engine – Balancing the pistrons and con rods
I finally unpacked the pistons, cylinders, and connecting rods. I decided to go all new, given how bad the original pistons were. I probably could have just rebushed the original connecting rods but I opted to go with brand new stock aftermarket ones for this build. Following a pretty standard methodology, I weighed everything multiple…