[T3] Worst T-III repair job....

[Jim Adney]

On 8 Nov 2012 at 14:52, J. Jonik wrote:

> This is to nomJinate, for most physically difficult Sqbk repair job,
> the task of replacing the two rubber seals under the oil cooler,
> single handed, engine in car. 

The most difficult job is always the most recent difficult job. I'm 
generally happy when I finish any job that turns out to be simpler 
than I expected.

> My old seals were so bad that they clicked together, like casino
> chips, not rubber. No flexibility left.

That's pretty common, but it often means that the engine has been 
getting too hot. Did you clear out the oil cooler fins while it was 
out? Also, make sure all the cooling tin is there and that the intake 
bellows is intact.

> Advice:   Unless you know you have pretty new seals, always put in new
> oil cooler seals whenever engine is out of the car. That might be an
> hour or less job....as compared to something like seven...with no
> garage, and no assistant under the car.  

Seven seems extreme, but maybe that's how long it would take if 
you've never taken those parts apart before. For me, the hardest part 
of that job is freeing up rust frozen bolts. I don't think you 
mentioned that; I have to torch some of those screws to get them 
loose.

I'm in complete agreement about hex heads vs. slotted heads. There 
are a few places where the slotted heads really make your life 
difficult, so my engine rebuilds always get hex heads there.

-- 
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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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