[Vwdiesel] Not Diesel, 70 VW bug motor install not going in...

[Bryan Belman]

OK, I got my work out last night for 2.5 hours trying to get my bug engine back 
in.
I had the back of the car jacked up way to high and to much angle on the first 
attempt, so I know why I failed there.
Mind you, I have no lift, so this is all with jacks, blocks and fun.  I am lucky 
to have a nice clean garage, I am a freak that way for sure after working for 20 
plus years out in the street.

After first install failed, I assumed the input shaft was getting hung up on the 
clutch or just not going in, bad angle.

I did not remove the clutch or fly wheel, this was a running engine so to speak 
before it was removed for head swap.
So, I will double check that tonight, I will insert the clutch alignment tool 
just to be sure I am good there, nothing moved somehow?


So, 2nd attempt, with the motor on the floor on blocks of wood under the heater 
exchanges, I can remove my floor jack so I can jack the car up to remove it from 
the jack stands and bring it back down lower, to get a better angle on the input 
shaft getting hung up on clutch?

I put rear tires on and bring it back down to tires sitting on 4 inch blocks, 
that should be low enough.

I put my floor jack under the motor and get her up and can get the two bottom 
motor studs in the lower tranny holes and the input shaft has gone into the 
clutch hole.
Same thing, it gets about 1 inch in and will not go in any more, push, wiggle, 
lift the back of the motor up, the flywheel is 1/2 to 3/4 way into the bell 
housing, it looks even and strait, the motor does not look to be cocked 
downward, things seem lines up.  But, no go, will not go in.

The muffler does not seem to be getting hung up here?
I tried to turn the motor to line up the clutch plate with the input shaft, 
nothing, did not feel as if the two of them were even touching yet.

It has been years since I took a but motor out (easy, very easy) and back in.  
Am I stupid and missing something here?
The motor is 98% complete, just needs carb, distributor cap and spark plug wires 
to be put back on, so nothing in the way there.


 Thanks
Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :<)
92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel, 5sp -- running :<)
82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- running :<)
70 Type 1 stock Beetle -- Not running :<(