What did you do to your 2002 today !

[zambo]

Progress on the engine reassembly … installed new timing chain, lower timing gear cover and then the water pump. 

 

Rookie mistake on the cover install … the timing chain tensioner will happily sit the wrong side of the reservoir for the tensioner piston if you are concentrating on everything else being lined up. They say doing something twice burns it into muscle memory 😂. 
 

New rear main seal housing arrived overnight so that’s for install next. 

[popovm]

I am starting to work on finding more out about my engine. I’ll make a separate post about it soon. A friend brought over his new borescope so that I could try and scope the pistons to find out what they are. The camera was too fat on the Dewalt scope so I only got faint glimpses of the pistons. They looked like they had a raised portion so I at least know they aren’t flat top pistons. 
 

I took the opportunity to take pics of the plugs. These are in order with 1 at the top and 4 at the bottom. Thoughts? Looks ok-ish to me but what do the experts here think?  I don’t know what 4 is telling me. Running a little hotter and/or leaner than the rest? 
 

 

 

[OldRoller]

48 minutes ago, popovm said:

pics of the plugs

Back before oxygen sensors and air/fuel ratio meters the eyeball on the plugs was all we had... plus a butt dyno. We'd cruise slow for a bit, shut down and pull'em, highway run a stretch and shutdown pull, and WOT with an eye in the rear view, shut down and pull the plugs. It is MUCH easier these days to tune a fuel/timing system.

Your plugs look good to my eye, nice even tan. I assume this is over a wide stretch of driving conditions? Put them back in their homes and roll.

But I am certainly NOT an expert. I couldn't even spell 'stoichiometric' in the day....

 

[Shiparino]

25 minutes ago, OldRoller said:

Back before oxygen sensors and air/fuel ratio meters the eyeball on the plugs was all we had... plus a butt dyno. We'd cruise slow for a bit, shut down and pull'em, highway run a stretch and shutdown pull, and WOT with an eye in the rear view, shut down and pull the plugs. It is MUCH easier these days to tune a fuel/timing system.

Your plugs look good to my eye, nice even tan. I assume this is over a wide stretch of driving conditions? Put them back in their homes and roll.

But I am certainly NOT an expert. I couldn't even spell 'stoichiometric' in the day....

 

I remember as a little kid, riding in my dad's Beetle after a tune up, he'd drive up "the hill" in 3rd gear. If it made it up, it was good to go. Then years later (but now way back in the 80's), I would run my 69 02 down a long stretch of road to do the "butt dyno."  

[Son of Marty]

IMO your oil pump sprocket looks to be at the end of it's life🤔.

[20db02]

What did I do today….. Built an amazing center console. 
 

I loved the old factory console…. But the plastic tabs were broken and far beyond repair. 
 

Here’s a picture of the old and the new! Just need to hook up a million wires 🤗 .
 

 

[JKKH]

On 8/24/2024 at 5:29 PM, 2002#3 said:

Today's Observations, Questions, and Musings

 

1.  Headlights.  I decided to refurbish another set (my third) of headlight assemblies (see photo below).  Yet another rabbit hole the origin of which is the M10 Rebuild Project.  Go figure...  I plan to use Lucky7's suggested McMaster-Carr parts to fabricate new adjustment knobs/assemblies which were posted on FAQ on 12/6/23.  I have used the IE kit, Ace Hardware wonder parts, etc.  However, Lucky7's route looks like fun. 

 

2.  Horns.  I refreshed a pair of >54-year old Hoch and Tief Hella horns and alway wanted to know what was inside and how they worked (see photos below).  QUESTIONS:  Why are the mounting brackets made of three layers?  Why are the horn-to-body holes brass-lined?  Do these horns need extra ground contact?

 

3.   Grilles.   I need to refresh, to some degree, old 1970 grilles (see photos below).  Both grilles are missing the clear lens on the outside corners.  QUESTIONS:  Any suggestions how a non-professional might do it?  (No, I have not searched yet.)  Mostly 0000-steel wool?  CONFIRM:  1970 grilles have only two silver slats on each side.

 

Larry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll defer to others more qualified than I to answer your questions.  Noticing that plate,  I can offer a deep and heartfelt thanks for your service and sacrifice. Thank you!

[NMDerek]

Got the tank in to, I’m still looking for the tire and jack nuts if someone has them.

Edited August 29 by NMDerek
Add

[Dudeland]

4 hours ago, popovm said:

I am starting to work on finding more out about my engine. I’ll make a separate post about it soon. A friend brought over his new borescope so that I could try and scope the pistons to find out what they are. The camera was too fat on the Dewalt scope so I only got faint glimpses of the pistons. They looked like they had a raised portion so I at least know they aren’t flat top pistons. 
 

I took the opportunity to take pics of the plugs. These are in order with 1 at the top and 4 at the bottom. Thoughts? Looks ok-ish to me but what do the experts here think?  I don’t know what 4 is telling me. Running a little hotter and/or leaner than the rest? 
 

 

 

Check your brake booster check valve, it may be letting air in and causing #4 to lean out a bit.   Also, check for any vacuum plugs, they have a shelf life. 

[jimk]

13 minutes ago, Dudeland said:

Check your brake booster check valve, it may be letting air in a

It always lets air in to the intake when working correctly.  It doesn't let air back flow into the booster.

[zambo]

4 hours ago, Son of Marty said:

IMO your oil pump sprocket looks to be at the end of its life🤔.

SoM - what are you seeing there … the teeth wear?

[SydneyTii]

4 hours ago, 20db02 said:

. Built an amazing center console. 

How do you hold the radio up with the KW faceplate?

[Son of Marty]

15 minutes ago, zambo said:

SoM - what are you seeing there … the teeth wear?

Yeah, very sharp points and it looks like the top of the teeth are bending but that just might be the picture.

[bergie33]

2 hours ago, NMDerek said:

Got the tank in to, I’m still looking for the tire and jack nuts if someone has them.

 

Spare tire is held in with a round bracket which is secured by an extra lug nut.  Jack is held in place by a small rectangle bracket and an M8 wingnut.wing nut.

 

 

[Son of Marty]

If I remember right the tire hold down nut is just a spare lug nut.