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I have just done an upgrade to my VW split screen van namely a conversion  to unleaded petrol. The kit comes with the new pistons already assembled in the cylinders .Everything went a o.k until I came to set the tappets & I found it very difficult to turn the engine over using a spanner on the pulley nut. It took about 45 ft/ilbs to turn the engine over without any sparkplugs being fitted. Is this normal?  Although I lubricated everything as I fitted it I never bothered to check pistonring gaps I assumed that they would have been set before fitting them in the barrels. Now I am wondering if the engine is going to sieze up Any advice would be welcome

Quote: Originally posted by brightspark on 02/3/2007

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I have just done an upgrade to my VW split screen van

                                                                                                                         

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Either your description is wrong, or the year is wrong.

A '76 would be a Bay Window, NOT a Split Screen

As already recommended, the JK forums should be able to answer your query.

Good luck

Oh...just re-read your post.

Are you sure you needed to do an unleaded 'conversion'? 

All the VW engines from 1966 on will run just fine on unleaded with no additives or conversions needed?

Hopefully yours is a '66 split (not a '76 bay)...and a pre'66 engine?

Or you've just spent a heap of time and money doing something you didn't need to?  Hope its the former

Hi  Thank u all for your input.Probably I should explain This is a S A import Freeline which has a ,73 1600cc twin port engine in it. The reason I fitted a conversion was because A the sparkplug threads were knacked & B everyone that deals who deals in VW spares advertises conversions Anyway I will take your advice & try Just Campers I am probably worrying for no reason

Terry

Quote: Originally posted by brightspark on 04/3/2007

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everyone that deals who deals in VW spares advertises conversions

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Of course they do...because people buy them.  Its called marketing, but its not necessary on a post-'66 engine

Don't know if the SA engines are expempt from this?  For what its worth our '71 bay pickup has an early 70's mexican engine...runs just fine on unleaded

Hope you get all the naswers you need on JK, good luck with it

Ah, yet another to be take in by the unleaded fuel gimmick. VWs have been made for 'poor fuel' countries almost for ever, even with special low compression versions for the worst quality fuels. It's not the poor fuel thay 'cooks' a VW engine it's usually poor maintenance, often to the cooling system and infrequent oil top-ups and changes. Love it as it was intended and it will go for ever (well almost).

As for your 'tight'engine, if you have fitted everything up correctly then there should be nothing to worry about. Did you lubricate the bores with a drop of clean engine oil as you assembled them, were all the rings free in the groves or did you trust the supplier to have assembled it all for you? From what you say you have not replaced bigend and main bearings, if that's the case you may be throwing good money after bad as a good 'top end' will soon show up any weaknesses in the bottom.
Sorry to doubt the job but a partial rebuild on an old engine is not a sound financial idea.