I have a problem. I built an 1835 with stock rocker geometry, bigger heads (slightly) stock cam, twin kads, new everything. New empi bypass oil filter.

My mate has driven it for a month or so and done something around 1000 miles. Longest trip was about 40 miles in one hit. We had about 40psi oil pressure at operating temp.

Motor was going perfectly, came home from work one night and drove it into his garage, all was well. Went to start it two weeks later and click click click. New battery. Same result. Had starter checked. No problem. Same result.

Its in the garage now, out of gear with the handbrake off. We can select all gears. The motor is ROCK SOLID. It wont even begin to turn either forward or backward. It wont move. Generator belt off. Same thing. Nothing obvious jamming any external pulleys. The engine is tight in its mounts. No excessive oil in the cylinders. No water or other foreign objects in the cylinders.

Tappet covers off. All rockers intact and appear to have clearances correct. Tappet covers have a small amount of oil in them, less than I would expect.

I am thinking its grabbed a bearing. Why would God do that. Engine running perfectly and when you leave it for a couple of weeks its rock solid. Why would he do that?

Searching for answers of Nowra NSW. (preferably simple thing I have overlooked)

Old Hutcho

I had a similar thing with my old 1835 not long after it was first built... turned out that one of the carbs had leaked fuel down into one cylinder, and jammed the thing solid. I unstuck it by turning the motor over backwards... stuck it in 4th, handbrake off and then gave the car a good shove backwards.

If that does turn out to be it, make sure you swap out the engine oil before starting it... as well as getting the carbs sorted.

What fuel was she running on?

Dave.

I took the plugs out and tried. Nothing down the bore. No excess oil, no fuel.

Mat

It was running on premium unleaded.

Keep em coming lads. Im out of ideas.

What pulley are you running and what sort of case? I read somwhere that if your using an aluminium pulley on an alluminium block without a (sandseal? i think) The pulley can somtimes grab on the case, seizing it. Think I read it on shoptalkforums, I'll try and find it for you.
Simon

Simon

Stock pulley on an AS41 case.

thanks for the help

Old Hutcho

What's the end play like ???

If you put a socket and bar on the pulley nut, can you get any movement in either direction ???

exact same thing happened to someone with a new engine on samba

ill see if i can dig up the thread, might have some usefull things for u to check

edit:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=307813&highlight=locked 

Second the end float spec after flywheel torqued on?

Joel

Most interesting thread yet. My money is on a locked up thrust bearing or a main bearing for some reason. He was using an external filter and so am I. I wonder. He had 50psi and I had 40. He drove it fine into the garage and described exactly the same scenario.

Looks like out she comes. But not before I measure end float.

Many thanks. Youve been very helpful.

Sides.

No movement in either direction. I mean its ROCK SOLID mate. Never seen one so immoveable.

Got a post after yours which is enlightening. thanks for your help.

Well, its out.

The rear main bearing has grabbed hold of the crank. Its spun the bearing in the case, and elongated the dowel hole. I now suspect the bearing moved far enough to obstruct the oil feed gallery.

I am not certain how the oil moves through the galleries in the case, but I am thinking there have been flow on issues concomitant with the above failure. At least, thats what I think. Theories welcome.

The cam shaft bearings (new with a new cam shaft) have stuffed the cam. Its a catastrophic failure which I reckon will require a new case, new crank, new cam and bearings. The top end is fine.

A mate of mine who IS a good engine builder informs me that he is aware of at least three similar failures. I got my bearings from him (Brazilian) and all of his failures were using the same brand of bearing. If you are using new bearings I am happy to field questions offline re brand etc.

regards

Old Hutcho