Bad case?

[BenI]

I have brought 2 cases to a VW machinist in town and he says that one is shot and the other is not much better. I read in Tom Wilson's "How to rebuild a VW aircooled engine" that these cases rarely go bad. I am going in this week to talk to the machinist and see what he is talking about. Do Type-4 cases usually need no work? They are a 2L and 1.7L cases from 914s. He said that at least one case is to the point of needing align-boring and we both understand that a new case is better than going that route since the bearings are impossible to find among other problems. I just am wondering what the chances are of having 2 bad cases? Thanks!
Ben

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Remember that the Wilson book was written quite a few years ago. The engines have seen more use since that time... From the talk over on the Shoptalk Forums BBS, it sounds like an increasing number of Type IV cases are not useable without machining. (Read: Align boring or similar.)

Competition Engineering will "align bore" a Type IV case in much the same way as the 2.7 mag cases are done--they take a very small amount off of the sealing surface between the case halves, then align bore back to standard size. It can't be cheap, but if you can't find the oversize bearings...

--DD

[BenI]

So if cases are both bad, can I find bearings for a STD crank and align-bored case?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

People have found them recently, but it sounds like it takes a lot of looking. And not a little $$.

--DD

[Ron Meier]

Found a link to a CNC machine shop in San Diego. Align bore a Type 4 Case - $40.00 http://www.thebugpatch.com/pricing2.htm

Certainly not in Colorado, but might give an idea of pricing.

Ok Dave, you can take out the link if it violates any rules.

[red-beard]

I know the shop - right around the corner from where Mike and I picked up my 911.

Just off Imperial ave....

James