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Reading/Watching Suggestions

PostPosted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:41 pm
by John Usher
In an effort to educate myself as much as possible prior to building an Aerovee Turbo engine I have read/watched the following books, blogs and videos:

Aerovee Assembly DVD and Manual
Great Plains Assembly DVD and Manual
John Monnett's EAA Webinars
Steve Bennett's EAA Webinar Video on VW Assembly Tips
"How to Rebuild Your Volkswagen Aircooled Engine" by Tom Wilson
"How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" by John Muir
"How to Hot Rod Volkswagen Engines" by Bill Fisher
Bob Hoover's blog
Gene Berg's web site
John Maher's web site


Are there any other VW engine books, videos or web sites that any of you have found useful/educational?

Re: Reading/Watching Suggestions

PostPosted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:13 pm
by mike.smith
I think you hit all the major sources. It took me a full month to build my AV the first time. I was nervous and anal about getting everything perfect. Most people don't take nearly that long. But I've rebuilt my AV 2 times and I can do a first class job in two evenings. It's easy to over think the process and to try to reinvent the wheel by trying to condense the information from all those sources into a "better" way to do things. Follow the AeroVee instructions to the letter, but intersperse it with good tips and information from the other sources. I recommend CC'ing the heads rather than following the stock AeroVee compression chart, and I have some tips for adjusting end play and installing the rear oil seal, if you get there.

Re: Reading/Watching Suggestions

PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 10:28 am
by John Usher
Thanks Mike!

Re: Reading/Watching Suggestions

PostPosted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 1:49 am
by wlarson861
I would add that you should read through the manual and identify all the chemicals you will need. The various sealants, gasket makers and thread lockers. Having these on hand makes the build uninterrupted. I probably spent more time running to the auto parts stores than turning wrenches. The other thing is don't overthink things, follow the manual and it will turn out right.

Re: Reading/Watching Suggestions

PostPosted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 11:20 am
by 9GT
mike.smith wrote:getting everything perfect. Most people don't take nearly that long. But I've rebuilt my AV 2 times and I can do a first class job in two evenings.


Can you provide some information on why the motor was rebuilt 2 times? I am still in the early stages of planning using an Aero Vee engine but this got my attention real quick. Thanks.

Re: Reading/Watching Suggestions

PostPosted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 1:42 pm
by Bryan Cotton
Here is one of Mike's stories:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2307