356B super head question

[jeffkloth]

I just aquired a 1959 356B coupe originally exported from Germany to Korea, then to USA in 1976. The engine is a very low (I do believe the 33,000KM) mileage super that was taken apart by a previous moron to build it up (it was running fine!). The heads are the only parts that are missing as the moron forgot where they took them for machining!

I want to know since I have the rocker hardware, covers, springs and most everything but the bare heads, are the bare heads all the same for normal, s, and s90 engines? Do the valves change? I have some NOS valves with readable numbers that I would like to use.

Frankly, I am not overly concerned with getting the exact performance from this but just a good runner. I have the proper barrels and pistons.

Please feel free to detail the full difference in the three types as it will help others also (or maybe this information is somewhere on the net?).
Also, is the cam the same for the three types? Thanks for your help, it is a bit annoying to put a motor back together that you did not take apart so I want to be reasonably sure as I go.
Thanks,
Jeff K. Burbank, CA

[GSpreeman]

Man, I can't help you with that one but here is a question. I am just getting a 912 engine for my 356 and need to pull the VW engine the PO dropped in. How many bolts hold in an engine in a 356? Where in the hell are they?

[jeffkloth]

Simple, two studs on top with nuts and bolts at the bottom. I will e-mail you a pic of my 356 trans with the engine out so you can see that. You are probably gonna hafta reach behind the fan to get to them and work blindly so that stinks.

[GSpreeman]

That's it? It just bolts to the tranny? Nothing else like motor mounts? I'm new to working on these things. Seems like it would just fall off.

Thanks!

[jeffkloth]

Well it doesn't fall out of a Beetle does it? Ha, ha! In the 912 they did put a rear mount.

[hawaiianvw67]

You can put a VW Type 1 engine in a 356? Is it just a direct bolt-up?

aloha,
Joel

[jeffkloth]

I understand you must use the 356 flywheel.

[GSpreeman]

Does anybody have clear instructions as to what has to be done to drop a 912 engine into a 356C?

[hawaiianvw67]

Hmmm that's interesting. All you need is the flywheel, and everything else is a perfect match?

Would that be the same if someone were to use a 914 or 912 engine? I suppose that you would have to make some extra mounting points for the 912 engine, correct?

aloha,
Joel

[914Ghost]

Actually, the VW engine goes right in, flywheel and all. The flywheels aren't interchangable on VW/356. You CAN swap a 36HP VW flywheel w/ a 356 I guess theres a secret- and all 356 flywheels have 8 dowel pins.
I had a 40Hp engine in my 60' coupe for a while. Straight out of a bus. You have to make some throttle linkage and of course the engine tin doesnt seal up, but it'll drive.
914/912E engine is a different story. They wont really fit with the stock engine tin, and the flywheel wont work in the 356 bellhousing. BUT you can get the upright 911 Fan kit and a adpater flywheel and its great!
A 'regular 912 engine will work, of you swap the peripheral engine tin, the reason 912's had the rear engine mount was the updated IRS rear suspension. So you would need the rear mount to put a 356 engine in a 912 but not vice versa.
Regards,
Robert O

[Mike Moss]

Originally posted by GSpreeman
Does anybody have clear instructions as to what has to be done to drop a 912 engine into a 356C?

To put a 912 engine in a 356 requires the flywheel and clutch you will also need to set the end play. From the 356 along with the suround tin from the 356 and piece under the crank pulley. You will also need the 6v coil and 6v generator from the 356, and temp transmitter. If you have a late 912(68-69) you will need to swap the generator mount also. The J tube heater boxes from the 356 are different from the 356 also. Its pretty straight forward swap. Mike Moss