I have cobbled up an engine test stand using a VW bellhousing and have discovered that the section where the starter bolts up is about 10mm thicker on the VW - which positions the starter about 10mm further away from the flywheel than when mounted in the 356 bell housing. The bell housing is off of a VW bus.
Anyone else ever use this VW part for this purpose? Wondering if the bendix will still engage the starter.
Thanks for the help.
question - engine test rig using VW belhousing
- Ashley Page
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- Scott Burnett
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- Ashley Page
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I assume that the bellhousing you are refering to is the VW van type that is a seperate casting from the transmission. The earlier style, '68 to ...'71??, used a flywheel/starter depth that is comperable to 356. Later styles, after VW began installing the type IV engines, used a spacing that is more similar to the 912. Another diffculty is that all these VW housings are made for 12 volt starters which have a bendix that is made for a larger diameter flywheel with a different gear ratio (more/finer teeth). The interface with the shaft support bushing is not the same making fitting of a 6v starter difficult. You are wise to be hesitant. A starter generates a few horsepower and a great deal of torque. All it can take to damage a ring gear is one bad clash.
- Ashley Page
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I believe I do have the later van type bellhousing. I do have a 912 starter but from what you are saying that would not work due to the different size flywheel and possibly the belhausing will not work for the same reason. Now I am guessing that I need to start over and look for the earlier bellhousing.Jack Staggs wrote:I assume that the bellhousing you are refering to is the VW van type that is a seperate casting from the transmission. The earlier style, '68 to ...'71??, used a flywheel/starter depth that is comperable to 356. Later styles, after VW began installing the type IV engines, used a spacing that is more similar to the 912. Another diffculty is that all these VW housings are made for 12 volt starters which have a bendix that is made for a larger diameter flywheel with a different gear ratio (more/finer teeth). The interface with the shaft support bushing is not the same making fitting of a 6v starter difficult. You are wise to be hesitant. A starter generates a few horsepower and a great deal of torque. All it can take to damage a ring gear is one bad clash.
- Marc Graner
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Maybe these information can help:
http://356registry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2056
http://356registry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1332
I had the same issue 4 Month ago and finally found a
good setup with the 912 Flywheel, 12V VW starter and
a unknown bell housing ... as well a flex and a Multi
Dremel. Result:
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=PsY6NG4pc0E
Let me know if you need more pictures.
Good Luck from Germany - Marc
http://356registry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2056
http://356registry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1332
I had the same issue 4 Month ago and finally found a
good setup with the 912 Flywheel, 12V VW starter and
a unknown bell housing ... as well a flex and a Multi
Dremel. Result:
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=PsY6NG4pc0E
Let me know if you need more pictures.
Good Luck from Germany - Marc
- Ashley Page
- 356 Fan
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- Location: Davidson, NC
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- 356 Fan
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- Tom Perazzo
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An alternative to cobbling together VW parts is a new product pictured below.
It works with your stock 356 starter and hardware.
The gear engagement is visible.
Its compact, light and strong.
Adapter rings in stock for 356 at $200.
The stand that lifts the motor off the ground is $220.
See www.ZalexIndustries.com for more info or call Tom at 858-243-0476 PCT
It works with your stock 356 starter and hardware.
The gear engagement is visible.
Its compact, light and strong.
Adapter rings in stock for 356 at $200.
The stand that lifts the motor off the ground is $220.
See www.ZalexIndustries.com for more info or call Tom at 858-243-0476 PCT