VW Engine - CB Performance Panchito Head Swap, Compression ratio & More! How To - DIY

Today's video, we're diving into a friends 1641cc Volkswagen Split Window Panel Bus engine.
He's been having some issues with the valves being too tight and thinks the heads are the problem.
He purchased some CB Performance Panchito heads. We'll go over them and show just how nice they are and compare them to stock VW heads. We'll determine the existing compression ratio and new compression ratio with the new heads by measuring the deck height on the engine and the CC's on the heads.
We also have to change out the valve adjusters and adjust the valves.
Hopefully these step by step procedures will help you along on your VW project. There's nothing as satisfying as doing it yourself.
Of curse we used Super Clean to clean up the engine before we started work.
Thank you for watching.
Please like, comment, share and follow along!
www.VWJAWBREAKER.com
Check out my web site for T-shirts, merch, discount codes, links to other great youtube channels and supporters of VWJawbreaker!
100%of the Merch, Amazon and Affiliate proceeds along with a portion of my KZbin proceeds are also being donated to charity!
It’s just another way for me to help give back to others and pay it forward.
VW parts and tools, audio video stuff, etc. Amazon Affiliate link below:
www.amazon.com...
🔷Other great channels to follow in no particular order:
Levi’s Backyard / @levisbackyard
2 Guys and a Bug / @2guysandabug
Roy Works / @royworks28
Rob Stapleton - FabWorx / goxtreme1
Vintage Speed VW / @vintagespeedvw7864
Haptic Garage / @hapticgarage
5150MXVW / swadmx
Emmitt Racing / @emmettracing
Mustie1 / mustie1
Marcijunebug / marcijunebug
Jw Classic VW / @jwclassicvw
Milage Unknown / @mileageunknown8910
VW Darrin / vwdarrin
EzGz / theezgz
CT / @ctmoog
Vané Pinstriping / vanepinstriping
DuckmanCycles and VW garage / duckmancycles
VW Nut 1967 / @vwnut1967
VvTheDuck vV / @vvtheduckvv
Backyard Kombi / @backyardkombi5466
Old Volks TV / @oldvolkstv
Rusty Dubs / @rustydubbs
VW Life / @vwlifevw
69 Baja Outdoors / @69bajaoutdoors
Wicked Werks / @wickedwerks845
V8N8T / @v8n8t
Dempop Garage / @demopgarage
Fixn Bugs N Stuff / @fixinbugsnstuff
THIS IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
ANY alterations YOU make to YOUR vehicle are YOUR responsibility!
I am not liable for your workmanship on your car.
VWJawbreaker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Any information on performing modifying or maintaining your vehicle seen on this channel is intended for general guidance only and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a Certified Professional.

[@paulnash8988]

Excellent video!!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 🤙

[@estebangarcia3365]

Good job Gary. You make it look too easy

[@VWJawbreaker]

It’s just working through the process. Hope the video helps someone out at some point on their project.

[@markbishop2138]

Awesome detail Gary: a great reference no matter how many times you do it yourself. In my saved list.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you, I appreciate that. Hopefully it’ll help someone on their project 🤙

[@rickhiggins6521]

Nice video. Love your VW lawn critters. You're right about the VW crowd. We are all in this together now.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Absolutely. Without each other supporting one another, things would be much different.

[@backyardkombi5466]

Nice video Gary!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you sir.

[@douglasbarnhart3324]

Thanks for the video Gary.

[@VWJawbreaker]

You are very welcome.

[@Karolilalu]

Love the way you explain stuff. I also like your clean shop. Appreciate it from Roger's Hot Rod Garage.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Glad you enjoyed the video 🤙

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Good video Gary. Those are some sweet looking heads!👍

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you sir. He’s been very happy with the improved performance!

[@MikeMoose67]

Very nice parts.. good video…

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@josephgonzalez561]

Thank you I want to change mine now, I might have questions

[@69bajaoutdoors]

Awesome video! Clean, precise and efficient!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you sir!

[@jasonburkhart1632]

I got a set of these heads to build my 2275. Gotta finish the car first though

[@VWJawbreaker]

I’ve heard lots of good things with these heads, glad I was able to put my heads on a set.

[@ahernandez9860]

Great video! Vw community at its finest.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you. If we can’t help each other then the community is in trouble!

[@Jayvans_Super]

Great video ad always. If you ever need content, let me know, I can drop my motor off lol. But seriously, what would you recommend for removing that carbon buildup? I have some previous heads I want to clean up with out messing up

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thanks, I appreciate it. The best thing I’ve seen for removing old baked on oil and carbon buildup is a bead blaster. Usually glass beads in a sand blast cabinet.

[@TimHause-d9y]

Hi,great video. New to this so it helped alot. I assume that motor has the stock 1600 pistons and jugs? Thanks!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Glad you found the video helpful! Pretty sure this has 87mm pistons making it a 1641cc.

[@trevorallan1340]

I didn't catch it if you said but what did you set the valves at? Did you check the rocker arm geometry after you changed to the 044 the heads?

[@VWJawbreaker]

Valve lash is dependent on what push rods you are using. These stock aluminum push rods were set to .006” I did verify rocker geometry off camera and all checked out just fine.

[@daveglick5152]

some of those springs on the old heads look like they be upside down. cheers

[@VWJawbreaker]

They very well could be, I didn’t look that close at that.

[@triariicat8448]

what happens if you have a chamber that's 1 cc off? will it hurt anything?

[@VWJawbreaker]

Nope, 1cc difference will not hurt anything.

[@robertbumgardner5549]

Nice

[@VWJawbreaker]

Very nice heads.

[@robertingram4562]

Just want say thank you for taking the time to show the whole process. I like to do my own work ,that's why I have a bug . You rock .😊

[@VWJawbreaker]

I’m glad you found the video helpful. There’s usually more satisfaction when you can do your own work and we all have different strengths… but if we can all work together we can keep these cars on the road!

[@harryloibl5183]

Did you say the pancheto heads are good value thanks

[@VWJawbreaker]

I think they are especially compared to an Empi head.

[@WolfHausMotorwerks]

👍👍

[@VWJawbreaker]

🙏

[@TalonsNewAdventures]

I have a machinist block if ever you need to true the flat on the jug.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Good to know, thank you sir!

[@cyprianskiba8768]

We’re you a VW mechanic at some point?

[@VWJawbreaker]

Nope, always wrenched on things since I was a little kid. Was a certified mechanic a long while back.

[@bedlamite42]

Panchitos are good heads, for a mostly stock motor you should be fine as delivered, but for bigger engines they need the bowls blended, a few minutes with a die grinder to knock the corners off makes a big difference. The next set you get, take the valves out and look.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Good to know, thanks.

[@inline4cyl20]

I have a new set of panchitos that i flowbench tested before and after mine need a little bit of bowl blending cleanup on the intakes the exaust needed more blending and work on the short turn radius after the bowl blending and work on exhaust they flow what cb advertised on their website. I feel if you didn’t do the work on the exhaust and bowl blending, they’re not gonna produce the horsepower that the motors that CB Dynos on their website, possibly the older Panchito castings may have had better exhaust but the new ones are definitely gonna need a little bit of cleanup if you want to get the most out of them. Otherwise its an awesome head and cools great

[@VWJawbreaker]

Good info, thanks!

[@inline4cyl20]

@@VWJawbreaker i built a 2110 with the panchitos with dual 44idf a 2241 cb camshaft and sidewinder exhaust it revs out really well and has great throttle response the panchitos have great port velocity. Idles nice at 800 pulls hard to 6k

[@masbeetleboy9169]

Good vid as usual. I'm not sure that a 1641 would make such a good bus motor, though.

[@1974pieter]

Cylinder walls too thin...over time they quickly warp...especially in a bus...

[@VWJawbreaker]

All depends on how it’s setup. This engine runs nice and cool, you can put your hand in the engine after a 150 mile trip.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Depends on how the engine is setup.

[@vayabroder729]

88 machine-ins would be optimal.

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@vayabroder729 those would be a great option.

[@prkid424]

How did you know I was building my long block and needed this info. Thanks for the video.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Perfect timing I guess!

[@tonypachanga9636]

how i can contact you when you never answer my question ?

[@VWJawbreaker]

And what question is that?

[@DansAm76]

So what carb/carbs is he running with that setup? ICT's would be my guess. Id assume a single stock solex would not be enough. Hows the setupnworking for him? Thinking of throwing some panchitos on the stock thing motor as well as punching to a 1641 and maybe some ICTs. Though I do have a progressive weber setup Ive been sitting on though Ive heard nothing but hate about them. Whats your take on em?

[@VWJawbreaker]

He was running dual 34’s but ended up having an issue with one of them and went to a 34/3 I believe. It’s a great running combo, good power and runs cool even in his split window bus. I’m not a fan of the progressive carbs, if you want a 2bbl, the 38 egas is great.

[@mtd610]

New to VW engines.. being the pistons are 55 thou down the hole at TDC, wouldn't that give u too big a quench? Typical engine u want rge quench to be around 0.040", the u adjust compression with head gasket and combustion chamber size. Is quench not an issue with VW engines?

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@mtd610 well, as you saw we can set the deck height on a VW engine as it’s not a typical engine that most are use to working on. Plus we don’t have head gaskets on a type 1 engine. You still want the quench in the head but you can go up to .090 max usually with .040 being bare minimum. Sweet spot is .040-.060 in most cases. Again, this isn’t a small block Chevy or ford.

[@mtd610]

@@VWJawbreaker Thanks for the response. These VWs are def not like the typical small block.. lol🤘

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@mtd610 no they’re not! 🤙

[@pierreduplessis1507]

The Autolinea case and cb perfonce heads in south africa you are looking at nearly R42 000 in south african currency. Crank cam etc too complete the motor is another R38 000 minus carbs and new tinware

[@VWJawbreaker]

Holy crap, that’s expensive!

[@pierreduplessis1507]

@@VWJawbreaker its the import costs taxes etc that flare the prices up. Majority of aircooled cars has a modern motor swop. Building a std too wild aircooled motor depends on how much money you want too spend

[@JA-sp3mi]

What is the whole process of checking the deck height

[@VWJawbreaker]

What exactly are you asking.

[@JA-sp3mi]

@@VWJawbreaker so you add what the shims measure and the measurements between the piston and enter it in the calculator

[@hardware5777]

Question(s) which torque wrench are you using, and Do you recommend a 3/8 or a 1/2 drive for most engine work? I'm rounding out my gear and need to buy a good ( but not SnapOn $$$) torque wrench. Loving your content.

[@VWJawbreaker]

I’m using a 3/8 torque wrench from harbor freight, it’s their mid level one that seems to be decently accurate. For VW engine stuff, most 1/2” torque wrenches start at 20-25 lbs which is too much. Whichever one you get, make sure it can start around 10 lbs.

[@boronsniify]

Very helpful - as usual, you explain and demistify the whole process clearly. I really treasure your content - my favorite still has to be you taking your son out in the freshly built 2054 a few years ago - cooldadtastic! Power to you!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you, I appreciate that. Everyone has their way of doing things but there’s some things that just have to be done to make things work correctly. Thank you for your support!

[@hughrobinson9978]

@@VWJawbreaker Been watching you for years now - you have inspired a lot of people to carry out maintenance and upgrades to their VeeDubs by breaking processes down into understandable "bite sized" pieces. I also admire you showing when things don't go 100% right and how you problem solve those issues. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@hughrobinson9978 I truly appreciate that. I’ve always aimed to be as real as possible… through the good and bad because we all learn different and from mistakes.

[@eduardorodriguez3262]

Very informative and easy to follow Wish you were up the street and around the corner from me that would Be Good 👍🇩🇪

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thanks buddy! Yeah, I get that a lot but most importantly would be cool to hang out 🤙

[@eduardorodriguez3262]

@@VWJawbreaker for Sure and cruise our vdubs👍

[@daos3300]

rocker geometry?

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@daos3300 verified when the camera died.

[@cjjones1556]

Just got some 90.5 panchitos toin install with some 88 thick walls on my otherwise stocker. The heads look great. Will see how it works out. 1.25 rockers..

[@VWJawbreaker]

I was impressed with the heads, although my 2054 has a their ultra wedge port heads and they are great as well. He did say, since only the heads were changed on this engine combo, it runs better with more power and actually runs a little cooler than before.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

👍

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you sir.

[@Xfactorr6]

So im trying to budget build a 1641. Got a kit with heads and pistons already. The car i bought came with a rebuilt 1600. Since my exhaust headstuds are broken thought this would be best to change them out. Instead of cam would 1.25 ratio rockers do the same? What compression ratio would you recommend?

[@VWJawbreaker]

Ratio rockers wouldn’t be the same as changing out the cam but it will play nice with a stock cam and provide more valve lift. I’d keep the compression around stock and not raise it up since the stock cam wouldn’t like high compression and would cause the engine to run hot.

[@Xfactorr6]

@@VWJawbreaker 7.5:1 would be stock?

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@Xfactorr6 there about, wouldn’t go much over that. I’d keep it 7.2-7.5

[@Xfactorr6]

@@VWJawbreaker thank you, appreciate your time

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@Xfactorr6 anytime

[@thebinderbuilder]

Off topic, do you use a gimbal?

[@VWJawbreaker]

No sir. I shoot most everything with the GoPro hero 8 which does have stabilization built in.

[@thebinderbuilder]

Man, you got a steady hand when scrubbing...

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@thebinderbuilder that’s mostly the GoPro…. Trust me lol

[@plymouths1]

Can you use standard vw rockers with those stainless valves Gary? I read that the tip of the stem will mushroom over in time, I have done the same thing and after reading this am concerned it might happen.

[@VWJawbreaker]

He needed it back together for his bus. Since then we added lash caps so the tips of the valves don’t get ruined.

[@vayabroder729]

Swivel feet adjusters would be optimal.

[@plymouths1]

So all I need to do is buy lash caps, do I need to buy new push rods and cut them to size as well?

[@ivocosta206]

Brazil

[@VWJawbreaker]

🤙

[@DailyPatinaBeetle]

Looks great Gary. I'll give Super Clean a try on my engine cleaning too👍🏽

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thanks man. Super clean is definitely my favorite degreaser, works better than anything else I’ve ever used.

[@HubertusSchaper]

Hi Gary, Nice work seems to be you know your business👍🏻, well performed,👏🏻 and Interesting to watch the procedure😊🇺🇸.Greetings.Hubertus🙏🏻🇳🇴🇳🇱☮🍀

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you Hubertus. I don’t know it all but I do know enough to make sure things are right. Have a wonderful day my friend.

[@HubertusSchaper]

@@VWJawbreaker Ditto my friend.

[@DemopVWgarage]

How good are those heads😍 I have them on the 2276 motor I just got😉

[@VWJawbreaker]

I’ve heard good things and so far he’s reporting more power and the engine is running cooler than before in the same split window panel bus. I’m definitely impressed especially for the price especially vs Empi heads from the same price point.

[@vnovoi]

Thank you so much Gary!!! You do awesome video brother! God bless!!!!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you, hope the video was able to help you out.

[@deanrobinson3717]

Superb instruction, yet again Gary, nice one for sharing you vast knowledge.

[@VWJawbreaker]

I don’t know it all but enough to ensure they stay on the road. Hopefully it’ll help someone out.

[@chrisbegger8684]

Love it Gary, That is the best demonstration of checking deck height and C/R I have seen, thank you

[@VWJawbreaker]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you and thanks for being here.

[@Eric_casper6477]

Great video!! Gotta get myself prepared for next weekend!! lol

[@VWJawbreaker]

Get after it dude!

[@vdubluv222]

awesome video! aren't you supposed to set the geometry on the rocker arms? Or is that really only necessary when building high horsepower engines?

[@VWJawbreaker]

It’s been a while since I recorded this but I went through the geometry and verified it. Camera died when I made the corrections but it was super close.

[@vdubluv222]

@@VWJawbreaker awesome! Love your channel, it was an honest question. I'm getting ready to build my first motor. Done everything without cracking a case open enough, figure it's time.

[@VWJawbreaker]

@@vdubluv222 you got this man, just take your time and verify everything is correct.

[@THEREEFREPORT]

Great video, sir I actually learned something

[@VWJawbreaker]

Awesome and thanks 🤙

[@Thomas-fo9zu]

Love the engine videos! Does the heavier valve springs cause the seats and adjusters damage?

[@VWJawbreaker]

Not these HD springs. When you go to dual valve springs it’s harder on everything.

[@vintagespeedvw7864]

Those are good heads that flow real nice. I'm guessing in time that motor will be back for an upgraded crank so it can spin some rpms!

[@VWJawbreaker]

He mentioned that there is a noticeable power increase over stock heads, nothing else changed but the heads. He’s happy with it, it’s in a split window panel bus. There’s a stroker engine idea floating around for a different VW he owns.

[@vintagespeedvw7864]

@@VWJawbreaker that's how the madness starts! Lol. Little bit here and a crank there....

[@jimlester5003]

Damn Gary, you make it look easy. Lol. Great job my friend.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you sir, I appreciate that.

[@Ted65R]

Great video. I’m a complete VW nubie so these help..

[@VWJawbreaker]

We all start somewhere. There’s plenty of us on KZbin that are more than willing to answer questions.

[@davidryan573]

Some great information Gary, congratulations on 10k🎉

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you, hope you found the info helpful. We’re not quite to 10k yet but I appreciate it.

[@cringram1003]

Stock rocking lol😊

[@vayabroder729]

Great job, Gary! Textbook; the way it’s supposed to be done.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thanks buddy. Wish I could be one of those guys that just slap it all together and let it be…. However I can’t.

[@johnwerner7194]

: )

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thanks for being here 🤙

[@rbrtgrdn]

It'll be interesting to see how those heads perform on a small engine with a small cam. I'm curious.

[@VWJawbreaker]

He put it in a split window panel bus and has driven it all over without issue. Dual Kads carbs. Has more power and runs nice and cool.

[@GonewithRob]

Great Job Gary! was good to meet you at No Dough 2023!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you sir and thanks for saying hi at the show.

[@VWRICH23]

Awesome vid. I was waiting for the start up lol

[@VWJawbreaker]

He’s already driven it several hundred miles and loves it.

[@patar4568]

Another good video Gary. Might have to get those heads one day.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thanks man, I appreciate that. I’ve heard of people running those heads on larger, mild engines and were very happy.

[@adamgray2720]

Agree with you on the nyloc nuts. You know I learned the hard way a while back. Thanks for the video.

[@VWJawbreaker]

I think we’ve all learned that at some point if they’ve been doing this long enough 😂

[@adamgray2720]

@@VWJawbreaker yep.

[@henryanderson7606]

Very thorough vid Gary....thanx

[@VWJawbreaker]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@c-los4630]

Amazing video. Thank you.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Glad you enjoyed it 🤙

[@TimsWorkshopTJY]

Cool👍

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you sir.

[@stevemendoza6744]

Like always another great video !

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@bash5552]

new sub, great vid!!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Awesome, thank you for being here!

[@STREETSTANG07]

Thanks again Gary!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Absolutely!

[@Paulman50]

I like the low compression, then it can run on cheap pump gas and be reliable for many years.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Absolutely. He put it in a split window panel bud and hasn’t had a single issue with it… 100 mile stretch a few weeks ago and it was nice and cool.

[@jeffcoleman5160]

Great video Gary

[@VWJawbreaker]

Thank you, I appreciate that 🤙

[@oldvolksbus]

saved!

[@VWJawbreaker]

🤙

[@fejus303]

Awesome!!

[@VWJawbreaker]

Hope you found some useful information