Week 2 - Engine strip down

This week was taking the engine out and striping it down to find out what was wrong with it.

Taking out the engine was relatively simple but you have to get the beetle pretty high to then slide the engine out from underneath. Even the top level of axle stands wasn't high enough so we lifted the back of the car up with an engine lift.

 So with the engine out it was time to start to strip it down to find out what was stopping the engine from turning. All the ancillaries were taken off, exhaust, heater channels (new ones needed) alternator, carb, tinware etc. We started to notice a couple of bolts missing and not all were very tight.
When we got to the pistons and barrels one of the pistons came out as the con rod had been sheared.

This was the cause of the engine stopping. Looks like the con rod hadn't been tightened as the bolt was floating around in the crankcase. We split the crankcase to see the full extent of the damage. The conrod has caused a lot of damage to the crankshaft and the crankcase. The case had made two of the cam follower housing oval and cracked the case.

So now we know whats wrong with the engine, which bit are good and what it bust. Not sure yet what the plan of action is. Need to have a look around for how much second hand engines go for, what parts are available and what it all costs. Plenty of other things to get on with in the meantime!