How tight a fit is that cam bearing?

I little lite sanding equally on both halfs might make them useful again..

Brains engine build on this forum shows how he did it..

Unfortunately it looks like the outer measurement of the double thrust (I was mistaken in calling it a "double shouldered bearing" - Thanks, CousinIt) is right about 28mm and the distance between the faces of the journal is at or a gnat's hair wider.



I would just shave a little off the inside of the thrust (cam contact side) but wanna get some research done before I do. I believe it was a 1 inch piece of shredded cam bearing that I found inside of the case during tear down that the PO was referring to when he said he 'spun a bearing'.

Read on The Samba, to 'polish' the black coating of the cam's thrust surface and that should allow enough clearance for it to work and also allow enough end play.

Actually was able to take a small triangle file to the thrust surface of the double thrust bearing and worked like a charm!

Wish the #1 main bearing faired as well...


As you can see, during the first attempt at put the two case halves together, the bearing rotated ever so slightly and when the case nuts were torqued, the bearing was damaged. So now I need to go and buy another set of main bearings...

As some of you know, I have been battling with building my 1600cc engine. I was able to get another set of bearings and install them into the align bore case (0.040" w/ thrust cut). First thing I did, was to put the two halves together, torqued the 6 main bolts, and measured the ID of all 4 bores. Then I opened the case up and carefully installed all 4 bearings into the case half, this time around, I made sure that the dowel on the #1 main bearing lined up. I torqued down the 6 main studs and measured the ID of the bearings. Then I measured the OD of the 4 journals of the crankshaft.

Below are my readings:


With these results, I believe the bore align was not performed correctly and/or I was given the wrong bearings for the crank and/or the case. I am so frustrated with this motor and I haven't even gotten to the heads yet!

Anybody else run into this same scenario?

Chris did you ever talk to Kermit?

Welcome to the exciting world of VW engine building

stuff like this makes me feel like a moron. i'm good at math and still get stumped

No, but I really need to take it down there and see what he will do.

Don't feel alone, mk-Zero has helped by posting his build and coaching me.

Basically, the crank needs to be slightly smaller than the bearing inside diameter...