Trying to become a mechanic overnight...

is really getting old. Problem after problem after problem.....back and forth to forums getting a mixed bag of info. My daily has been down 3 months and I am sick of working on it. Finally had my engine done and made another rookie mistake. Against my better judgement used the engine mounting stud to brace the flywheel and snapped it off flush in the block. Read about how to extract broken studs....attempted to weld a nut to stud per directions and the magnesium I assume cannot withstand the heat and starts burning out around the stud barely....stopped before I made too big of a mess. I have come to terms that if I cant get to the point I can work on this thing on my own then I am going to get rid of everything VW I own and put my money into a modern disposable car. This would be a shame because I really love my VWs but sick of working on them all the time when I dont know what the hell I am doing. It used to be a VW mechanic could be found around every corner but in my area there is NONE that I know of. Nobody wants to work on them and I am not even sure a modern mechanic could

There still are experts out there, and even some floatingaround on here.

Being mechanically challenged myself, I have some things I will attempt on my own, but many things I will seek the assistance of an expert friend, or I'll suck it up, bust open the piggybank and visit my favorite mechanic.

Down in your area, I'm not sure who to recommend. But I'm sure there is at least someone down your way who could help.
(Anyone got any suggestions out there???)
If not, I could tell ya who I use up this way, in W. Ga.

I would like to putthe engine in the back of a truck and take it somewhere to have it looked over and tuned before it goes back in the car but I dont know if anyone would be capable of doing this out of the car. Can't engine be run on a stand to tune and check for leaks?

Damn-it Don wrote:There still are experts out there, and even some floatingaround on here.

Being mechanically challenged myself, I have some things I will attempt on my own, but many things I will seek the assistance of an expert friend, or I'll suck it up, bust open the piggybank and visit my favorite mechanic.

Down in your area, I'm not sure who to recommend. But I'm sure there is at least someone down your way who could help.
(Anyone got any suggestions out there???)
If not, I could tell ya who I use up this way, in W. Ga.

Yeah I would like to know who any of you use. I don't mind traveling a bit to get this thing right.

Yes, it can be "bench run". I prefer letting "Pro Flow Performance" in Hiram (Paulding County) handle my mechanicals. He's there a few nights during the week, and saturdays too. 770-653-2436

there is a guy in Buford area that is a master VW mechanic he is trying to get his new shop going and he is really good. Even had several of his builds in VW magazines. His name is Tim heres his new website he has started http://dasaircooledgarage.com/ check it out and let him know. He can help you out with anything you need to know. He has been doing it for over 20 years. Highly recommend him to anyone. Check out the projects section.

What happen to the people that owned Deal Automotive they built great Vws. I graduated from Southwest in Macon in 78 and drove a 60 bug to school.

If you just want someone to look at it and see what's going on bring it up and we will see what's going on with it

I'm in Covington about 45 mins from you. I'm sure if you wanted to bring that motor to us we could get her running good for you.

vwkultur wrote:What happen to the people that owned Deal Automotive they built great Vws. I graduated from Southwest in Macon in 78 and drove a 60 bug to school.

They sold it years ago sometime in the 90's and it became Bobbys Buggies. That lasted a couple years then closed for good. I dont know where Bobby is he was a great guy and would help me out as much as he could. Ralph was the owner of Deals but he retired after he sold out. I really miss that place

Man, I went from hopeless to having several offers of help. VW people are great. I am trying to get to know people in the local area with VWs. I have seen many bugs on the road lately but its too hard trying to chase the damn things down.
I think I am going to go ahead and take the engine to a machine shop local and get that stud removed before I screw up the case and then schedule up a time to bring it to somebody here to have a look. I could probably do the work if someone gave me instruction. I am a paint and body tech of 18 years so I am not a total noob at turning a wrench. And I could always help fellow dubbers with paint and body related items.

First off, good thing you stopped welding near the case. Cases are Magnesium and that metal will burn, yes burn. Once it starts there is not much to stopping it. So lucky you.

Next once you get these cars running and driving good they only need general maintenance. Oil changes are a big thing, I checked my oil temp in the Bus on Tuesday when I got home and it was 212deg. With the oil at this temp more than a normal engine it needs to be changed more often. Also valve adjustments, I have found an easy way to do them that is not hard at all. Keep an eye on the points, as they ware it will hurt engine performance. Remember this little engine is pushing a lot compared to it's Hp output. I have noticed that the smallest adjustments make a hugh difference in performance. Valve adjustments and points are two that come to mind. Yes I run points. And no modern mechanics can't work on these engines b/c it doesn't have a computer to tell you what the problem is, YOU have to figure it out.

And lastly, this engine is at best producing 40hp while you are driving. Yeah it's rated at 50-55hp but that is in an rpm range that you don't want to spend much time near today. Especially if the valve springs are 40 yrs old! I know of a person and I will not name names, that has engine problems all the time. They think these engines can turn 4-5k rpms on a long highway trip and they are always bitching about breaking engines. It's not a porsche nor a roadracer. Drive it like it could break at any minute and you will get many miles of reliable use out of it. I pride that fact that I put a shit load of miles on my vehicles.

As Glenn has stated "Triple A + Toolbox = Go Anywhere!"
Stay off the Samba if you need good sound advise, come here, any of us will help, you will only get BS from the Samba.

Call 706 253 0338 when your VW problems just wont wait. We are inconveniently located @ 3900b Camp rd Jasper Ga. 30143. North of Atlanta, I have had good luck with broken studs and just 2day an 8mm broke off in a case saver. I'll be up front with you there are no guarantees on this extraction,and the method I had to use is strictly "Don't try this @ home" it went well with no damage to the case.