Chenowth Sand Toy Project

I agree with the simplicity, that is the great thing about VW's. The bad thing that has discouraged my VW build has been the price of VW parts. They have really skyrocketed in the 10 years or so since I sold my last baja. Ive been trying to hunt down a set of low back seats for less the $100-150 for months. People are proud of those things...

 

I agree, they are really simple and fun to work on. This morning I finished degreasing all the engine components and now have a shopping list for the motor. Going to go pick up the align-bored case and head today. I may purchase some of the parts at bugformance, but we will see how expensive they are compared to SoCalImports on the internet. So Cal has great deals and free shipping on lots of stuff. Also got the front trailing arms blasted and polished. Pictures to follow.

 

Here's those pics I promised. I am very happy with the way the trailing arms turned out. Got the Main and rod bearings yesterday and will start assembling the crank this week. Got some plastiguages to check all the tolerances.

 

Trailing arms looks really good. I'm surprised the pitting doesn't seem to show at all.

 

Me too. I think the salt on the beach tends to bring the rust out without as much pitting. I used a soft wirewheel on them and I was suprised how well they turned out.

 

Got a little more work done this weekend. I plasti guaged the rod journals to the crank and everything was in good tolerance. Assembled the crank.







I used a vw engine mount designed for bench mounting, but modified it for my existing engine stand. The arms on the engine stand aren't long enough to fit the case. Cost me only $24 bucks.

 

Getting the engine put back together a piece at a time





My modified engine stand seems to work well.

 

Looks like fun Ryan. Are you worried about hanging that much weight out on an aluminum case? Just curious. I have no idea what an VW engine stand looks like.

 

Where the stand mounts to the case it is pretty thick. Several of the stands that I see are this style and no one has talked about it cracking the case. Here's a better pic.

 

Hi Everyone, I have been working on the motor. Had a snafu tho and had to take the engine back to the place that align bored the case. When I tryed to put the case together, the crank would bind up Turns out one of the pins that hold the bearings in place was too long and preventing the bearing from fully seating. Here is the case right after I put it together and bolted up the flywheel. The nut that holds on the flywheel has to be torqued to 300ft/lbs. Luckily I had a breaker bar long enough to allow me to torque that thing down. Had to also buy a special tool to hold the flywheel in place while torquing it. Luckily it was only $20. Also assembled the oil pump its the square plate on the back of the engine. On a Vw the front of the engine is the flywheel side.....a little backwards from the 225.







Last night I worked on putting the cylinders and pistons in. The wrist pins where very close in tolerance and needed some encouragement to move into place. But after lots of trying different ways finally got them in without damaging the pistons and rings. It took a couple of hours to figure it all out and get two in

 

Love it! I am offfically inviting myself to see it run.

 

Glamis would be really fun. Will have to make arrangments to stay with my brother down south when we go. Mike, I will definitely let you know when I fire it up. I am going to wait until the frame, transaxle and motor are put back together first. Could be a while.....

 

Looking good, Ryan!

 

No rush Ryan, I am really enjoying your updates to this build. I hate to say it but almost more than some of the other threads I am subscribed to. I guess because it's something different.

 

Nice toy and it looks like it was lots of fun!

 

Got a little more work done on the motor. Enjoy.

Heads installed and torqued down.



Rocker arms and pushrods installed, valves adjusted.

 

Looks great Ryan.