Hi Dubbers,

I'm rebuilding a 1500 beetle engine which has a huge amount of endplay in the crankshaft.

Now, I understand that 3 to 6 thou' is the goal after 3 shims and a flywheel are fitted but how much should the crankshaft move in the case with all the cylinders and pistons off and the crankshaft pulley and flywheel off? Mine is moving a good few millimetres or more but the bottom end seems sound and not too old.

The conrod to crankshaft side clearance is about right and the case is an AS21 case which was a replacement at some stage.

I'm happy to do up the bottom end if I have to but would like to avoid it if possible. Should I just shim it up and hope for the best?

Many thanks
marty

Untill you get the flywheel on there is no way of telling if its too much or not. Sliding the crank back and forth without the flywheel is an indication of nothing. Check the flywheel end main bearing when sliding the crank, if it is moving in the bore when you slide the crank, its time to rebuild it...

It sounds like the thrust section of the crankcase has been hammered out and shimming wil NOT fix this.

You need to strip the engine and check out if it can be saved by maching and fitting a wider thrust backed bearing.

If not you need a new crankcase.

Theres an article on this in the latest copy of Ultra Vw. You can only shim if your endplay is within tolerance, barring that your looking at pulling apart the motor.

Steve