VW Engine Build: Final Assembly Part 1, distributor drive gear, Type 1

Aircooled Volkswagen Type 1 engine building video: Final Assembly Part 1 of 4, distributor drive gear installation and valve lash setting. Mike Smith shows how to install the drive gear slug correctly, making sure that it's coordinated with the valve timing and the mark on the front pulley of the engine. He also shows how to set valve lash on the VW aircooled engine.

[@jasonjohnstone686]

Thanks for sharing, easy to understand and a great help.

[@ThePuggo101]

I've been a VW tech for 40 years and, while I'm not saying you're wrong, I've always installed the distributor drive first, then the distributor. I rotate the distributor shaft until it's pointing at the #1 cylinder mark on the distributor. When I'm ready to lay the crankshaft in I hold the #1 rod fully extended and then drop it in-engaging the drive. Now the crank is at TDC for number one cylinder and the rotor is pointing at the appropriate spot. I've built hundreds of engines and they always start with minimal effort first time. No worrying about shims dropping out of place and you can see whether there is appropriate engagement of the distributor tang into the drive.

[@DragRacingTV]

One reason that we don't install the distributor with the crank is because we want to be able to evaluate short block crank rotation with the case nuts fully torqued down, without drag or interference from the distributor drive slug. That is important because of issues like bent cranks and faulty machining. Tang engagement isn't a problem if the proper test fitting is done before the case is buttoned up. Thanks for the comment.

[@beetlemex2079]

Really clear nice vid Thanks

[@caribeprepper]

Now that was a great teaching video, Thanks.

[@michaelbuglerstudio]

Great info - thanks for sharing.

[@jackmeoff8305]

all your video's are perfect thanks for sharing

[@DragRacingTV]

thx, appreciate the feedback!

[@dunesmaskal4978]

Man I dig your videos. Really great teaching. Mahalo

[@DragRacingTV]

thx, appreciate it!

[@mikehuard721]

Thanks for sharing, I needed that, I was wondering how was going to drop in the drive and washers without dropping them into the camshaft drive cavity...a couple minor things though...1. at the 2:52 min point you mention the woodruff key pointing straight down, well yes it does when the case is open and on it's side like you have at that point of the video, but when assembled and you are installing the distributor drive, it will be pointing towards the #4 cyl, or the key is level and pointing left when facing the engine pulley if the case assembled as you drop in the drive.... 2. at the 3:25 min point, did you mean to say when both valves are closed on #1, that #2 exh valve is open, and not #3? Again thanks for the tips and info...much appreciated!...Mike

[@abdelazizriad2442]

perfect thanks

[@MrGarcon98]

i have a question ! i have a head number 3 cylinder threads stripped , now instead of fixing this with a helicoil and take the chance it will unscrew or strip easy , i thought i would just retap the head to use a bigger diameter spark plug , this way the head is tapped more solid ? is this a good idea or is it heli coil or juck the head ? thanks for all your nice info , enjoyable to me .

[@DragRacingTV]

i would try the time-sert approach first, there are places where you can rent the tool... here is a vid on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKXMqmuCbpyBmdE

[@user-vd1lm3ez9c]

DragRacingTV how to get oil though the block and bearing before start up

[@dwightgeorgecarlson]

Would you ever know if one or both of the washers at the bottom of the distributor drive had fallen out of their small shelf and fallen to the bottom of the case when installing the distributor drive shaft?

[@DragRacingTV]

+DG Carlson i don't know that there is a foolproof way to be sure, just put them in there with a little bit of grease, to keep them stuck together.

[@heraldcaberos3594]

a question sir...why can't you install the diatributor driving gear while the crankcase is still open??

[@DragRacingTV]

One reason is that you want to be able to fully evaluate the camshaft rotation and such, with the case nuts torqued down.

[@rudykistadu6985]

Cylinders 1 and 2 are not as hot as 3 and 4 howcome and it has a miss but when I hold it on a high rev there's no miss howcome? What can be the problem

[@DragRacingTV]

+Rudy - Is it single port or dual port? DP was a big improvement towards equivalent side-to-side temps. The miss could be anything; replace spark plugs and wires, check valve adjustment, do a compression check, etc.

[@ismael9841]

Dan, can you see that?

[@martinloubsr8367]

Your video are good but you not pointing at cylinder one on your distrubutor

[@tonybland8684]

it is not supose to be pointing at #1...

[@tonybland8684]

Yes the firing order is the firing order, but on the vw the dist. does not point to the #1 plug. Looking from the top of the dis it would be pointing at 4:00. when # vis firing. Most car it point at the cycl that is firing but not the vw.

[@martinloubsr8367]

@@tonybland8684 Thanks for info much appreciated