Halo Everyone.

So my project is nearing completion.(Finally!)

I have run into a little problem. The starter gear is pre-engaging. It doesn’t engage solid, like when the starter is activated, but you can hear that it catches without properly engaging.

I spaced the whole starter out 2mm (0.078 “).Tried it again, and it still hits the flywheel.

So I dismantled the starter again for the 23rd time, and took out the drive gear. I took roughly 2mm off the drive gear, and reassembled it.

I tried turning the engine by hand again, and it still catches the flywheel.

Does anyone know how much the flywheel is now thinner compared to stock?

Have any off you had the same problem?

This is driving me up the wall….

Thanks

Karis

 

That's very strange. Have you tried a different starter?

One starter that works well is from a porsche. It has a gear that does not need a shroud-cone thing around it. I don't know the details but it does fit a VW transaxle and cranks the rotary plenty fast.

 

It was strange to me too.
I didnt have a starter for the beetle,so i had to buy one.I`am not sure if it is specifically for the beetle,the nose lenght,and the flange fits perfectly though.

Its is a newer "bosch" type,with the brushes at the rear and not on the side like the old Lucas design.(I like the bosch type better!)

I will try to get the correct Bendix for the beetle starter,and then use it on mine.I`am not very happy to machine the drive gear on the starter,i`am sure it will eventually wear the ring gear out.

Ps: I allso noticed the machine flywheel is thinner,with the dowl,and small mounting"pedestal" machine off to fit the 13B Ecc shaft.

karis

 

That's weird. I was under the impression a KEP adaptor kit and flywheel would work with a stock (or 6 volt) starter. My friend's all bolted together fine.

That porsche starter was something a local bug guy recommended because it works fine with 12V so it will last a long time, and quickly spins the 13B fast enough to fire it up every time. It works great and bolted right in. That's the starter I will get if my current 1600 starter can't cope.

 

Hi.It looks like i came right. I kept on machining the gear shorter,untill it would clear the flywheel.I`ll try and have a look tonight if it engages right,and turns the engine.

Keep your fingers crossed.

 

How did it go?

 

Yes how did it go???

 

I hope you didn't drop the flywheel on your foot.

 

halo,halo!
Sorry for the wait.
I havent had a chance to engage the starter,to see if it works properly or not.We have been busy building a segment bend exhaust for the Beetle.Hmmm,it sure is pretty!
I`ll post some pics as soon as my stupid phone works again.

In the meantime,here is a pic of the flywheel on the engine.Note the custom made Allen head , Counter sunk 12.5 tensile strenght Flywheel bolts.:-)

The orginal flywheel ways aprox 18kg with the counterweight.Using the beetle flywheel the weight has come down to 9kg!!
I think this little 13B will rev like a motorbike!

karis

 

If you were to compare relative costs, did your setup come out cheaper to produce than if you purchased a KEP kit?

 

Hmm its hard to say Jeff.I think it would cost lots to ship 15+kg of goods halfway around the world.I think the biggest cost would have been the freight.

I found out last week that some other engineering shops offer the sam adaptor at half the price.<< Helo Murphy!.Funny enough no-one was interested to make it,when i wanted one made,but has since changed.

I would actually suggest that you let a local machine shop do it for you.Flywheel machining isnt complex,and the adaptor also looks relatively easy.

Otherwise you can do it yourself.Your handy with tools!

karis

 

Check Out.......kennedy Engineering....calif. They Also Suggest Using A 6volt Starter Running On 12 Volts

 

Ummm,Thanks for the advise.But i`am in South Africa,its not a cheap option shipping something halfway around the earth.

karis

 

Try ' Beetle Shop',Port Elizabeth.....they used to race Beetles

 

Karis, you may want to have a chat with Alastair who owns WVTrend in Pretoria.
332 Paul Kruger Street, Capital Park, Pretoria
Tel : 012 323 6917

I met him at "Cars in the Park 2006" and he had his 13B powered Beetle on show.
He said he was considering or busy setting up a 13B conversion program at his company.
If he doesn't do the conversions yet he'll at least be able to help you with information.

I haven't really started my Beetle conversion yet but will do so hopefully later this year - I need to find where I can get a complete 13B engine without buying an expensive paper weight since none of the importers give you any guarantee.

Paul

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.The project is a bit on hold currently.Its to damb cold outside to work on it!

The nice thing about 13B`s is,that they will start,and run with allmost a vacuum for compression.they are not nearly as tempramental as 12A`s.There are ways to check if the engine is ok,without being able to start it up.

Will you be tubrocharged or NA Paul?

 

Forgot to mention.

Your welcome to talk to me should you have some questions that your unsure off Paul.

Karis

 

Thanks.
Since my next step is to get an engine my first question is where did you source your engine from?

Paul

 

I bouhgt my engine from one of the local importers here.MYM autoworls if i remember correclt in Church street PTA.Looks like a normal Series 4 Turbo 13B.When i went to look at the engine,i turned it by hand,to make sure it wasnt solid,and allso took out the plugs.

When i turned it,i made sure that each of the Rotors made a equal Pssshh shound when tunring,at least indicating that the Apex seals were all in the same condition.And that one wasnt broken/worn more than the others.

Karis