DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Is there one book that is recommended to guide through a 356A engine re build please
thanks

I'm rebuilding mine at the mo using Harry Pellow DVD and Inner Circle book.

thanks James i will look out for those, how is it going?

Another option of course is the workshop manual.

I would like to rebuild my original engine for the car myself, is it beyond the capabilities of a novice by following the above?

It's not as complex as you might think but, if you have no engineering background and only a few tools it will not be easy. You need a good selection of tools and special tools also for example "just" to remove the flywheel. You need good torque wrenches able to reach the level required, ideally an engine stand, so you can get round the engine easily and patience.

Also, to get end floats correct you need to understand the importance of the smaller parts of a millimetre, like microns. Dial indicators and clock stands, all useful.

Then to know with micrometers, what needs replacing and what doesn't as without them how will you know?

I started with twin cylinder Norton motorcycle engines when I was an apprentice toolmaker and enjoyed every minute doing it ( well almost!)
but I often made mistakes going to far with tuning to increase power.

As 356 engines have some expensive parts in them that probably will need replacing get it wrong with not bothering and will hit your wallet later. However, taking apart these modern fuel injection pumps and trying to restore them would be more difficult I reckon than most things 356.

I have a 3 or 4 page step by step photo description in German of taking a 356 engine apart in the correct order. Maybe I could scan it if you decide to go ahead.

I would personally advise buying an old Morris minor engine for example and see how you get on taking it apart and putting it back together before attempting a 356.

If you have already done engines before, then read the books double check everything you do twice and check everything for wear properly before just putting it back.

Sorry about this being so long (if you have read it all) but you did ask and its "only my opinion of course"

Roy

Hello Roy
No thats good information thank you!

If you could please scan the paperwork and send it to me its all very much appreciated.
I will pm you my email

roy mawbey wrote:I have a 3 or 4 page step by step photo description in German of taking a 356 engine apart in the correct order. Maybe I could scan it if you decide to go ahead.

Roy, that sounds interesting. A great resource. Would you be able to post it up as a new thread in this section? I'm good at looking at pictures!

secrets of the inner circle is a good book, but expensive to buy and hard to find. I have a first edition and I found it lacking in detail and information on reconditioning the cylinder heads. it is a good assembly manual though. I think the elfink manual is a good buy myself.

Curbo, I've got a Morris Minor you can practice on if you like

Roy, if you scan and post the list I will try and translate (if I have the time!)

Will try to look at this today. I can also read and could translate the info Hendrik but am aware it would take some time. Technical German is always harder to translate than conversational.

It was produced in a German mag and I have kept it as it makes good reading for anyone with a 356.

Roy

Mark - cd's are in the post

Cheers

I have because it was easier,taken photos of the 4 pages from the 1995 Motor Klassik magazine and I will post them but only after I have translated the main text and the text under the 26 photos. I think it will only confuse people without doing that.

I have also thought more about the fact taking something apart is far easier than putting it all back together so that it actually works as it should. Forum information is really great but only if the level of work required is really explained to those attempting it. Our engines even the last "C" versions will soon be 50 years old. How many of these have been stripped before, incorrect parts put in, crankcases that need line boring, stripped threads, worn out oil pumps, the list goes on and on.

So, how many have the correct engine stand and even the hoist to raise the engine to get it on? Do you have a large enough space to get the parts all laid out for inspection? The tools, including torque wrench up to 400 ft lb, the valve copmpressors, the special mandrels or drifts, the full set of ring and sockets needed included those up to 36mm?

Thats just taking it apart which the specialist Wolfgang Reile of Classic Power in Germany as shown in the article can do in 3-4 hours work providing no stripped threads or difficulties arise.

Now then there is the inspection! Do you just buy new parts or use the old ones? crankshaft, pistons and barrels, bearings, valves and springs, bushes, conrods, the list goes on!

Then the assembly, do you know your crankcase halves line up correctly?

Do you have all the correct torque values and how each area is bolted up?
can you sort the bearings, and the bushes where required? do you know the best sealing compound? Can you fit new valves to the seats correctly, and how are the seats?

Do you have the correct piston ring compressor and valve compressor equipment, the heat gun to assist piston removal?

Guys like Paul and Mike Smith at PRS or KK or Roger Bray or Andy Prill could no doubt take an engine apart in their sleep. I reckon after doing 10 engines you sort of know what might be coming next and also what horrors might be waiting for you inside the crankcases. They know the people to go to for parts, they know the best procedures its their job and their livelyhood and reputation to get it right.

First time? well I am sure if you do follow every rule and if you do have an understanding of measurement and the inspection tooling like micrometers and vernier guages to make sure then maybe go ahead and plan each step. James with his 356A did some fantastic work on the mechanicals and I don't think its his main job?

So, if you can't tick a lot of the boxes above maybe its time to save the money and get the motor checked possibly it might only need a top end overhaul? Why disturb something unless you know its really a noisy main bearing etc, etc.

I just remember the first time I took a 500cc Norton engine apart, my friend came with his box Brownie camera and I had a selection of large brown envelopes. We took photos of all the parts as we removed them and I put all the small parts into the envelopes. The photos could not be developed into something we could see and after 6 months in a damp garage the envelope bottoms let all the small parts fall out directly you lifted them! It took me 18 months to complete that bike!

Sorry, for the long post, but I have to make the warnings!

Roy

Excellent work Roy
thank you!