Managed to clean the valve cover as well as replace all the gaskets, then dropped it into place before torqueing the bolts. Bolted on the alternator and one of the engine mounts. Then Neil and I tried to get the gearbox on and bolted but after an hour gave up. Didn't really know why, had the same with my Beetle many years ago; one time I tried for hours. Next day I tried and the engine just slipped into place!
Tonight tried again but first removed the clutch pressure plate and made up a tool to get the clutch centered properly. Also made sure the spline was slightly greased. Also decided to get the engine positioned properly with supports under the sump and engine mount.
Engine more stable than before.
And basically horizontal.
Unfortunately my helping hand was busy so will leave the gearbox for later in the week. Instead quickly cleaned the inlet manifold and bolted on the super charger ready for later.
Update!
I used my motorcycle lift to get the gearbox up to the right level and gradually pushed it in. No problem at all, slipped in like a glove!
Hi Steve (Steve omara04 here) Great to see updates and progress etc. Following the rebuild with interest as I may want to do the same one day. Had similar issues fitting a gearbox before. Very frustrating isn't it!! How one minute it won't go at all and then the next it's fine! Darn splines... Anyway hope it all goes back together OK. I did wonder whether the boost from the supercharger was an issue and causing either lean running or cylinder temp issues - might explain why the pistons broke up. Keep on going, hope your hand gets better.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve, Hand is fine again thanks. I had the injectors tested and it seems that two and three were way down on fuel throughput compared with one and four and believe it was very, very lean, hence burnt pistons. I'm HOPING that was the problem! Now I have another issue to worry about.
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