Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
If I ever have a Beetle again, it's getting an electric powertrain. The OEM stuff was made too simple, and therefore requires maintenance I don't want to do such as periodic valve adjustments.
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Hydraulic lifter conversion? What about wheel bearing grease or filling the spare tire up so you're windshield washer fluid will squirt.
I think leaning out the air fuel ratio was the thing that helped me the most. After throwing on an A/F ratio gauge and a few temperature gauges with sensors, including a head temperature, I confirmed what a few other VW air cooled engine enthusiasts also found, that the engine runs the hottest and you're more likely to get knock at around 14 to 15:1 ARF. But 15.5:1 to 16.5:1 makes the engine run cooler. But any leaner than that and it will tend to misfire badly or not run. As long as it enriches down to at least 12:1 at WOT you're good.
I also tried experimenting with digital timing with a CB Performance Digital Magnaspark distributor. I discovered that although it helps, cylinders 1 and 3 really should have a different timing map than cylinders 2 and 4. Of course if you go with a non-"doghouse" cooling shroud you also may need to retard cylinder 3 even more than cylinder 1. So there's benefits to be had by timing each cylinder individually unless you work up some sort of intake plenum and similar intake and exhaust runners.