Again, a couple Mk1 questions (and others)

[tberk@mindspring.com (T Berk)]

Nate Mellom wrote:
> 
> 1:  How hard is replacing the heater core in my '81 gonna be?

Haven't done it yet. Is it clogged or leaking? If clogged I have had
success with forced purging ala water hose.

> 2: Would it make any sense at all to install the extra idle stabalizing
> system I have on one of my spare engines? 

Cars in California came with the Digital Idle Stabilizer; it goes
inline w/ the Electronic Ignition Module, and is by passed when
setting stuff. Go for it.

> 3:  I'm going to be swapping the clutch off of my (not so happy) engine
> out of my '84 with my (hopefully much happier) engine I got from Jasin
> (urGTI@aol.com).  What, exactly, is involved?  I have the clutch
> alignment tool, but once I get the flywheel off what happens?  Do I need
> to worry about aligning things and stuff?

'I am going to be swapping my clutch from one car to another'. Is
_that_ what you meant? Or are you swapping motors and doing a clutch
job at the same time?

Any case, you will want to consider the flywheel's condition, it can
be reused most easily of the three major components, the pressure
plate I would be a little more suspicious of and more likely to
replace, the friction disk is a no brainier, get a new one.  The bolts
holding the PP can be reused BUT you will soak the threads with
locktite prior to installation, to miss this is to invite oil leaks as
the end of the bolts are inside the block. New bolts are cheap enough
and come with dried locktite. 

Pulling a clutch from an inline VW motor can run into some trouble,
esp in the following areas:

- Not having all the parts and/or tools prior to starting. Don't begin
on a Sunday, in fact prepping Friday afternoon after work is a smart
move. Leave time for drama and parts/tools run the 1st time you do
this.

- A guru or muse standing by is a nice safety net. Pizza and beer will
often encourage those w/ experience to hang around and watch you get
dirty.

- The CVs are held on (most years) w/ Triple Square fasteners, they
are NOT Torx, although the exception is that some real early cars DID
come with T-45 bolts. Expect the Twelve Point Triple square  and avoid
stripped bolt heads and Multisyllabic curseword strings.

- Liquid Wrench or other equivalent PENETRANT is your friend. WD-40 is
_not_ the same thing. Spray stuff the night before. 

- Support of the motor will be necessary if you are leaving it in the
chassis, a floor jack under the oil pan w/ a layer of wood or other
padding will suffice, a cross bar made of bundled 2x4s cut to fit the
width of the hood, (Not resting on TOP of the fenders mind you lest
they bend) but fitting on the seams where a closed hood would will act
as a bridge you can tie the hanging block to when you have removed the
Trans side motor mount.

- The bolts that hold the Pressure Plate are really tight and the
motor will want to turn over are you seek to loosen/tighten them.
There is a real cool too l that locks the thing in place while you
torque things down but I have had great shade tree success with a wire
coat hanger passed through the block's rear block-to-trans bolt hole
and the PP. Have a hanger around when yo get there and you'll see what
I mean.

- You want to pull one of the Axles out of the way so you will need a
30 mm socket. This and a 18" or longer breaker bar w/ 1/2 drive will
suffice as a dedicated Axle Nut Removal Tool, Sears is a handy place
for this type of setrup. Adding a 1/2" Extension makes clearing a rim
a lot easier so add one while your at it. Crack the thing and give it
the final tightening while the car is on the ground or you may topple
the car off it's jacks.

- I could go on but Cowboy Bebop is between episodes and it's time to
change the channel.

Oh, think about getting one of those handy Sachs clutch kits with all
new stuff in it. It's handy. Yeah.

> 4: Anybody got one of these?
> <http://abacus.sj.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_64215416eb2fc314946db4f205/i-1.JPG>
> (VDO voltage gauge). 

If I do, I'm keeping it because it matches _my_ set. <doh!> Sorry. 8]

> 
> I think that's it for now.
> G'night!!
> Nate
> '81
> '84
> 
> Oh, and I have a bunch of engines, mostly complete, I need to try and
> get rid of one of these days.  All 8v.  Lemme know if anyone's
> interested.  I'll be willing to give you parts for shipping.

Where ARE these big heavy items, eh?


TBerk