Big Bore VW Engine

[Old Sprinter]

I need some help finding dimensions for a big bore VW motor that I'm going to do in 1/8 scale for an up coming project. Width, hieght or a web site. I got plenty of pictures but need a dimenssion or two to correctly build it by. Thanks Ken

[comp1839]

how big is big bore? i'm no vw expert but, i think i have some 88 mm barrels and slugs floating around. will that help?

[VW Dave]

If the motor you're replicating is based on a stock VW case with larger 'slugs and jugs,' you can go from a stock motor for the measurements. The bore has no bearing on the outside dimensions, unless you're dealing with one of the completely aftermarket motors by the likes of Pauter.

Here's a newly-shipped 2.3 liter VW Type 1-based long block(image borrowed from TheSamba.com):

Here's one of Pauter's "big block" super pro long blocks, which is available up to 3.5 liters(215ci):

Edited September 6, 2011 by VW Dave

[VW Dave]

Do you mean the "big-block" engines out of the 411 and 412 series? if so, try here: http://www.type4.org/

Those are only nominally larger dimensionally than a Type 1(Beetle/Ghia etc) motor, they're just larger displacement - from 1.8 to 2.0 liters from the factory. The 'pancake' cooling fan arrangement made them appear much larger, and an upright cooling system swap is all that is required to put one in a Beetle.

[Old Sprinter]

Thanks Dave, I knew you could help me. This is an Auto-Craft with Hillborn injectors for a midget. How wide, tall and deep is that motor you have? With those dimensions I can build it. Thanks Ken

[comp1839]

hey ken, since there are 2 dave's replying. which of us did you mean? LOL!

[MicroNitro]

I have an Auto-craft on the work bench we ran in an altered. I will measure it tomorrow and post them.

[VW Dave]

How wide, tall and deep is that motor you have? With those dimensions I can build it. Thanks Ken

Ken - I wish I had a 2276cc for either of my cars. I merely borrowed those images from TheSamba.com's gallery and Pauter's website to see where you were headed; my only complete aircooled motors are currently in cars, so measurements are not an easy feat. I see now that you're into doing an AutoCraft motor, and MicroNitro(Jim) may have the info you need.

[Gregg]

I have an Auto-craft on the work bench we ran in an altered. I will measure it tomorrow and post them.

Jim, do you have photos of the car too?

I have wanted to build one of those for years!

Almost did a real one back when we were running Jr. Pro Gas here.

[MicroNitro]

The measurements are

case 11" tall 14" tall at the flywheel 8" wide

from out side of cylinders 16.5" wide

out side of heads 27" wide

overall 32" wide

front to back w/pully 15"

head front to back 11"

This is the aluminum case, Auto-Craft cylinders and and the A-C heads that take the stock valve covers. If you need any more dimensions just let me know.

Gregg You will have to wait until my wife gets home to show me how to use the new scanner before I can post a picture. I sold the car to a man in Michigan and he sold it to a guy in Hawaii so you may have seen it. It is black with the vw motor, power glide trans, and 8 3/4 rear end with weld drag lights. The motor is turbo charged, fuel injected alcohol.

[Old Sprinter]

Thanks Jim, that is exactly what I needed. Ken

[MicroNitro]

Here is the picture of my altered the first time out.

[MicroNitro]

Ken What are you planing on building an 1/8 scale midget?

[Old Sprinter]

Yep, this one.

[Old Sprinter]

Here is the picture of my altered the first time out.

Now that looks fun!!

[MicroNitro]

That is cool, I can't wait to see this build.

[iBorg]

Where's that from? I'd like an original.

Mike

[VW Dave]

Where's that from? I'd like an original.

Mike

If youre referring to the artwork, it was originally done by David Kimble; he did a lot of those things for magazines like Motor Trend back in the 80's(I still have the awesome 2-page 427 Cobra cutaway he did from MT). If you search Ebay for 'midget cutaway,' there's a couple of folks selling prints of that one.

Edited September 8, 2011 by VW Dave

[Junkman]

French VW illustrator Pascal Meslet also picked up on this:

Here is more of his art for all you VWophiles:

http://www.escarabat.net/imatge/007.meslet.art/meslet.art1.html

[Old Sprinter]

I was able to draw plans for the motor and actually start build the thing.

[MicroNitro]

Hey that is looking good. I am not sure if they all were this way but the A-C cylinders on my motor do not have any cooling fins just the heads do. It would be faster to make that way. Watching this build makes me want to build a model of my old car.

[VW Dave]

Stock motors have cooling fins on both the cylinders and heads; it appears that the Pauter and AutoCraft motors only have them on the heads. I say they look great on the scratchbuilt cylinders, as it gives texture to that area.