Need 356 engine crash course
 

I stumbled onto a 356 engine for sale, which I'm tempted to buy it and install it in my '56 Karmann Ghia. I've done some looking on the Samba, Pelican and Google, but I can't really find the info I need.

• what do I need to look for when buying one of these engines?
• can I use my VW starting rig (bellhousing, starter, wires, battery, gas can, etc) to test this engine on the ground?
• what is involved in putting this engine in my ghia?
• are there any websites which detail the process?

Your VW setup may work for testing, but there is the 180mm clutch vs. 200mm clutch to worry about, and 6v. vs. 12v starter teeth, etc. If you can get the engine number, check it at www.356a.com in the lookup there to see what kind of engine and what year of production. If the engine isn't in the db yet as being "known", please add it (location/year and the fact it is for sale) - many 356ers are looking for the original engine case for resto/concours purposes.

For putting it in the KG, aside from physically getting it in there, the 12v vs 6v and the clutch size will be the things to worry about. I think there is an article or two on www.356registry.org that detail putting a VW engine into a 356, that may give you a head start.


Edit - you'll want a copy of Elfrinks Technical Manual for Porsche specific data (valve clearences, torque values, etc) but when working on my 356 I spend a lot of time with John Muir's "idiots guide to keeping a VW alive forever" book, mostly because I'm a mechanical idiot.

Do it, do it, do do do it.

:)

Sounds like that's gonna be one screamin KG... BTW - was that engine known in the db before?

Talk to Jake Raby, he'll know what to do...