I really appreciate the pace and tone you have here. In technical professions there is a tendency to keep others out by maintaining that the work is too complex for anyone but the pros. You don't use excessive jargon, or waste time qualifying who this information is for. You don't harp on the basics, nor leave them out. Just explaining what to do and what works for you, and treating the viewer like an adult. This is the first time opening up the block has seemed like something I could do. Like everything else, there's no magic, it just takes time, focus, and patience (and usually tools and a few mistakes). Thanks man.
Started watching your channel a few years back when I was dreaming about being a technician. Just finished my second week as a vw technician apprentice :) thanks for all the helpful advice
the main time I was around engines was when I was growing up with my father. I can't comprehend watching you do it and everything is clean and working and there is no yelling and swearing. It's not what I'm used to...
I am in Aviation Maintenance school right now and this video brings back SOO many memories of overhaul class. Literally everything you did we had to do and if the engine didn't work for some reason we failed the class. Talk about pressure! Lol But you sir, have got to be one of the best mechanics I've ever seen. :)
great video. videos like this are what empower people to take these things on in their garage, who knows, that may bring someone into the automotive field who other wise would not have gotten interested in it. being an electrical only guy this type of stuff was totally out of my wheel house. my first engine build last year i chose to use this super expensive assembly lube instead of oil (which is what most guys said i should use). im very glad i did as it took me a week of troubleshooting and a solid 3 minutes of cranking across that week before i had oil flow. i have no doubt oil alone would have caused major damage. i made a few mistakes while assembling - i realized after the fact. now 6K miles later i guess the mistakes wern't major. at 520K miles at time of rebuild i had to machine/bore/fire ring all the things...
This video may be for a VR6 engine, but is incredibly helpful for a 1.9 Diesel BEW. Different engine, same process, thanks for all the helpful engine build videos!
I’m 16 and don’t even own a vehicle, however I watch stuff like this for when I do have one. Videos ain’t gonna make me a mechanic but I believe it may help me understand what’s wrong with any vehicle I do get.
Excellent quality work! My 14 yr old is starting Eli Whitney Tech here in CT and him I just rebuilt a 1980 CB750 engine! He was excited, deeply interested and full of questions I couldn't answer LOL! So he'll love the level of details it takes to respect this profession! I've got to sub to you! Thanks for the vid 👍👍🔧🔧🔩🔩
Joseph V. Stalin most pistons are parallel to the deck. idk much about vr engines but by the look of it that must be how they sit. you want to load your pistons in the correct orientation and avoid turning them as much as possible so the ring gaps don't move
Really miss that lab Charles, I had a good experience whilst I was there. English doesn't have words for the sentimental value and the world of knowledge and experience I gained as a student at NASCAR technical institute.
I'm actually just getting off work I did interior work today and it turned out fantastic, the more videos you put out the better my skills get thank you for the videos you put out I'm very thankful
Came across you because you was on another channel talking turbod and as I'm wanting to do my golf engine that's blown into a turbo once it's rebuilt, thought I'd have a look. Great channel, by far the most informative and helpful channel I've ever found. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and I look forward to more videos!
Very educative video have subscribed to a lot of blogs and I think I need to cut down to 1 or 2 now. And surely with that way of explaining your number 1. I will follow a lot of your work to further educate myself, because I'm new into the industry and you just made it easy and I find your work very friendly. Thank you
You prob don't remember but in February you went to the lab at nti with 3 other gentlemen from Audi/VW I was the only student with Mr Wolfe at the time and was going into BMW step, I'm starting at Leith BMW (I recognize that checkered floor) and you also have that visitor pass. Crazy I watched your videos way before we met too. Small world.
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. If I may add a few comments, do not turn the crank without the caps torqued, when torquing the cap bolts on the final stage, do not stop in the middle of the torque down process. Keep the torque wrench moving until the spec is reached.
Thanks you for this walk through I have the afp engine that I just took out and it has scored pistons and the valves where bent as well. Took the head to the shop but most ppl aren’t willing to clean the bottom half even if it was just for a hot tank. This really puts my mind at ease and I’m prepared for the next step.
This was a great video even though il probably never touch a vw in my life haha. You are a pretty great talker. Even though you aren't one of those guys who drops humor in every 10 seconds its still very entertaining.
What a detailed video! I love marvel msytery, i had a door lock cylinder on my vw beetle 2004 and it wont not turn, it was completly siezed. I took it out with the 12 turn revolution as you demonstrate and soak it in a cup of mmo and it works better than new.
The way you installed the pistons with out a tool is the exact same way I broke a set of piston rings and chiped the deck on my VRT. It wasn't fun having to stop mid build and wait a week for a new set of rings from wiseco. Not to mention having to get the deck resurfaced, Which ultimately led to bent valves because the clearance was too tight from the extra machine work.
Techtonic Tuning makes a piston ring compressor for a VR6 that actually works. The only downside is that you have to buy them based on the bore size of the engine you are rebuilding. Here is the 81mm model which is the standard bore: techtonicstuning.com/main/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2869 They basically start with a standard tapered ring compressor, then cut the bottom at an angle to match the VR6.
You musn't twist the rings at all,there are a lot of rings wich are coated,and the coating can't stand twisting,it just cracks. you must spread the ring,thats why there are tools for that.
everyone says to check oil clearances for rod and main bearings, so what do you do if they are not within spec? Are there different bearings that you can get to adjust clearance? love the vids
hey! to compress your rings when fitting the piston, you might want to try using those nylon straps that come on bags. Soak them in engine oil and wrap and twist one end to compress them. The oil will flow into the rings and help them seat easily! Saw this in a ghetto shop in India.
This is so interesting!!!!! Thank you for showing this! I have a 2008 Audi A8L W12 and i want to take it to a shop and i want to see a part of the process
Great video Charles 👍. Love the stress on cleaning everything at each stage of assembly. I don't know how many people I've seen have a messy work area and not really bothering to take the time to clean surfaces, only to down the road scratch their head wondering why things are either leaking or breaking. Another practice I've gotten into is chasing out threads especially on critical areas like head bolts , I've also seen people not do that and snap off TTY bolts because of crud being in the threads or in the bottom of the bolt hole.
A J S after machining how does one clean out all the oil passages? I would think if the cylinders are dirty after machining that all the passages would be worse.
Good video, but 1 suggestion..At 9:38 while applying Marvel's Mystery Oil to the cylinders you mentioned to use a white towel.. I know what you mean but a newbie might not and use a terry cloth towel, clean coffee filters work good as there is no chance of making a mistake with added lint if the wrong towel is used..
last few engines I assembled I held the block on the bell-housing bolts & didn't like the amount of flex the stand had... I am certainly going to try mounting it off one side's engine mounts.. thanks for that Charles BTW I like to put 1 piston in, connect & torque the mains then give the crank 1 complete revolution, any assembly errors are usually obvious this way
Many engine builders like the tapered ring compressors like the ones made by Total Seal. The only downside is that each tapered ring compressor can only handle one cylinder bore. Many American engines would have a standard bore of 4 inches and overboring to 4.030 is very common, so it pays off to have those 2 tools. Total seal makes one that is tapered first, then angled to 15 degrees to fit the VR6. Since the 2.8 VR6 standard bore is 81mm and the most common overbore is 82mm, you could buy 2 of their ring compressors for the majority of situations. Some premium forged pistons can be bought in 82.5mm or even wider, but if you can afford premium forged pistons for a VR6, you can easily afford another VR6 installation tool.
This was awesome! Thanks bro! Ive never disassembled an engine or head i know what components are what and how they function. But this was just cool to watch. I am as meticulous as you are.
MUY BUEN TRABAJO , ME GUSTA VER UNA PERSONA PROFESIONAL Y METICULOSA. SOLO UNA PREGUNTA ? PORQUE NO USAS EL UTIENSILLO PARA COLOCAR LOS AROS AL PISTON EN LUGAR DE HACERLO A PEQUEÑOS GOLPES QUE ES MAS DIFICIL?
Man , that was fantastic , I litrary had to login and subscribe your channel to comment , you are tresure in mechanics , smooth explaining , catching work , great job !!
I never knew ring filing machines EXISTED. And the multiple cleans and fusiness I would never bother with..... to finally get to the pistons going in and you SQUEEZE THEM IN BY HAND. Holy smoke, I have seen piston ring holders as a 12 year old.... I have never heard of anyone with access to that stuff NOT using it.
The standard type don’t really work on the VR due to the angle of the bore. I’ll be doing another one soon. 10/10 buying the ring compressor lol. I’ve since found a really nice one.
I saw your badge and was like huh... maybe I'm seeing stuff but THEN you said you learned some engine building from MR. WOLFE!😂 it all clicked. I learned from Wolfe as well. Built an ls2 with him that went in a k&n car. Small world..
Great video, hit all the right points and showed multiple ways to get the job done. Engine seemed to be a bit stiff though, does it just look that way on camera?
Thank you for this video. Very informative. I have an ABF clone that's in the process of being built. I'm going to be tearing into the block and rebuilding the block. This video will help me out on what to do on an engine build.
hey nice post. am I the only guy that still is using stp oil treatment. as assembly lube it's old school I guess I did use some regular assembly lube on the last crank i installed but used the stp on the cylinders as always
liked and subscribed, great video, cleanliness and prep is key, hope to keep up with your channel and hear this engine run for its new life once again, cheers fazzeg3
Charles VW Engine rebuilding Brings back good memories especially of a type 4 air cooled I built. 327 Chevy connecting rods stroker crank dial in cam twin 48 Weber ida carbs with nitrous. In a mid engine sand rail that thing would burn up the 100 yard sand strip. Low to high 3 seconds. That was 20 years ago.
When did you visit NASCAR Tech? I've been going there since August 2017. If you ever visit there between now and November 1st 2018 let me know I would a wonderful experience to meet you. I'm in the afternoon classes.
Hey, Nate here from Triangle Mobile Mechanic in Cary, NC and I love your videos. I have seen you around Cary believe it or not. Small world! Quick question...I'd love to learn how to do engine rebuilds, but how economic is it compared to just swapping out the engine with a new engine? I would think after spending all the money on parts and paying an experienced tech to clean, replace, and reassemble your whole engine that it would be cheaper to swap the engine. What's your perspective on this?
