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Wed Mar 26, 2008
19:33
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So, a little more than a week and a half ago, I started the high compression
ABA engine for the first time. Since I half expected the engine to explode,
I consider this a minor success. Ignition timing issues, alternator issues,
and a clearance problem with the adjustable cam pulley kept me from running
the engine for more than a couple of minutes.
Here are a couple of shots of the new engine, installed, and in a ready-to-run
state:
And here is a close up view of the clearance problem with the Autotech adjustable cam
gear - note the back surface of the gear, where it has "machined" itself against the
edge of the valve cover.
I e-mailed Autotech to see if they had any advice as to whether I should shim the gear,
or clearance the valve cover. I was leaning toward shimming the gear, since the timing
belt was running just a hair over the outside edge of the gear. I never heard back from
Autotech, but in the meantime I ordered a Techtonics 268 camshaft to install at the
same time I addressed the cam gear issue. What I ended up finding was that the Techtonics
camshaft was just a tiny bit longer than the stock camshaft I had been using, and so
the cam gear sat that much further away from the valve cover, which eliminated the
clearance problem. The new cam is now completely installed, and at the same time I
addressed the ignition issue I was having. One of the pins on the ABA distributor body
wasn't completely removed (it was sheared off) and that was limiting the amount of
adjustment I could make to the ignition timing ... I couldn't get it advanced enough
to run right before that pin got in the way.
So, I'm looking forward to starting it up with better ignition timing, and with the more
aggressive camshaft in place.
Post your comments below. Please note that your comments will not be visible until
they have been approved by a moderator (me).
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A1 parts for sale:
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Item: Intake air pre-heat hose (from exhaust manifold shroud to air box), for Scirocco 2 (1982+)
Condition: New
$12
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A2 parts for sale:
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Item: GTI dual-round grille with inner lights, bulbs, and lower trim strip
Condition: Used, lower trim strip is weathered.
$35
Item: Parcel shelf strap, 3 available
Condition: New
$3.50 ea.
Item: 8 (eight) valve guides, German, standard size, for 8 valve head
Condition: New
$24
Item: Wheel cylinder (for rear drums, obviously), 2 available.
Condition: New
$12 ea.
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A3 parts for sale:
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Item: Parcel shelf strap, 3 available
Condition: New
$3.50 ea.
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A4 parts for sale:
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Item: OEM Water pump, ALH engines
Condition: Used, 130,000 miles
$20
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