Split the case

All the bearings must be ok, but I was talking about the crankshaft and con rodbearings.

Can they be checked without spliting the case?

Joao

It's impossible to tell if main bearing are ok without spliting the case - do you really mean the connecting rod bearings?

You are adding displacement/HP to an old tired engine -- it will put extra stress on both the crank shaft main bearings and lesser extent on the cam shaft bearings. If the mains are the least bit worn they will ruin the block and the crank. If there is over say 20k miles on those parts then I would split the case and replace both. You might want to add a slightly hotter cam too (or check the old for wear). You are replacing all the exhaust valves at least when you have the heads machined and checking the compression ratio afterward (cc'ing the head to see if shims are required?) You can remove the rods with out splitting the case - and can renew the rod bearing (at the crank end) and rebush the upper where the piston connects (cheaper to buy rebuilt ones and exchange your old for them as core). Get the book How to Rebuild Your Volkswagen Air Cooled Engine by Tom Wilson or How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive by John Muir. Replace a third of the parts of an engine and expecting to get increased performance out of it - greatly reducing its longevity --- and is NOT rebuilding the engine.

Thanks for your reply.

The work on the engine will be made for an expert, not me (I don't have the time and the tools).

The engine was rebuilt 12 years ago and only run 7000 miles since then. So I don't expect to find any worn on the bearings. My only concern is that the cam wasn't replaced at the time and it has about 125000 miles. I'm not sure but I think that someone at the time (12 years ago) told me that the cam was a little worn. I would like to know if I can check that without splitting the case (head and cylinders out) and if not it would me a good effort to split the case to check.

Joao

I think, from all the posters replying to your fist question, you should be kinda thinking about splitting the case and checking everything in there. then, wether worn or not, replace the parts that dont cost much anyway. If you are stripping your engine down, changing it from stock, it is always wise to walk the extra mile. It will cost you less in the long run !

Rich

Joao Eliseu wrote:

Thanks for your reply. That is also my opinion. Today the case will be split at

The bearings were ok and so were the heads, that will be machined tomorrow.

Joao