Mille Miglia 2012: Smooth Changeover of Beetle Engine

[@SquirrelFromGradLife]

It's hilarious that car designers and magazines have been so far removed from the actual car that the head of a design team just stands there not knowing what to do or how to help... incredible..

[@savaden]

What's interesting to me is that the original engine was a Porsche 616, and the replacement engine was also. It must have been challenging locating a replacement engine with near identical specs to fit into that VW. They also probably swapped generators at least.

[@Aza19850]

there's a video on youtube where they do a engine swap in 1minute 4seconds for guinness world record.

[@vrooomie1]

It's a 356 engine, *NOT* a stock-block 36 hp engine: Dead giveaway was the bolt-on generator stand. I suppose in the day it wasn't frowned upon to do such!

[@janhighboy]

Two hours doesn't seem all that impressive for a team of professional mechanics with a turnkey replacement engine. I've replaced the clutch and flywheel on my bus in less time, in a back yard with less than a professional set of tools. The impressive thing to me is that VW (at least in Europe) is still supporting the old air-cooled engines to some extent.

[@Beetlevonny]

looks like a porsche 356 or 912 engine..

[@3liter6]

Yup, really not that impressive. Back in the day VW shows used to have competitions. Teams of 2 mechanics, IIRC. Drive up in the car, pull the engine out and move it 10 feet back, reinstall the engine and drive the car away. Times were in the 3-4 minute range. The world record is ~1:30 with a 4 person team. I'm a competent, but slow paced mechanic, and I can do mine in about 1 hour, most of that is wrestling the engine back onto the tranny. With an extra hand or two it's a lot easier.

[@gambyyt]

German efficiency