Crankshaft Installation Kit, For Aircooled VW Motors

OVERVIEW

When you are embarking on a professional engine build for your air-cooled Volkswagen, the crankshaft assembly stands as the absolute heart of your machine. Reusing old, worn timing gears or distributor drive gears is a recipe for disaster, as these components are subject to immense heat, mechanical stress, and friction over decades of service. This EMPI Crankshaft Installation Kit provides the essential hardware needed to ensure your mechanical timing is precise and your ignition distributor drive remains stable throughout the entire RPM range. By replacing these critical press-fit components with brand-new, high-quality steel parts, you are eliminating the risk of gear whine, tooth failure, or erratic ignition timing that often plagues engines rebuilt with used or "good enough" hardware. It''s the ultimate insurance policy for your bottom end, ensuring that your camshaft and distributor stay perfectly synchronized with the rotation of the crank.

This comprehensive 7-piece kit is specifically engineered for the 1200cc to 1600cc upright engine family, making it the go-to solution for Beetle, Karmann Ghia, and Bus owners alike. Included in this precision-matched set is everything you need to fully dress a bare crankshaft: the main timing gear, the distributor drive gear, the distributor drive pinion (spacer), the critical oil slinger, the retaining snap ring, and both necessary woodruff keys. Every component is manufactured to exacting tolerances to ensure a perfect interference fit on the crankshaft snout, preventing the dreaded "walking" of gears that can lead to catastrophic internal engine failure. Whether you are building a stock 1600cc daily driver or a high-performance weekend warrior, this kit ensures that the internal geometry of your engine''s bottom end is factory-fresh and ready for the long haul. Don''t compromise the integrity of your new build by skipping these vital components.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: 1961-1979 (1200cc, 1300cc, 1500cc, 1600cc)
• Volkswagen Type 1 Super Beetle: 1971-1979 (1600cc)
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus / Transporter: 1961-1971 (1200cc, 1500cc, 1600cc)
• Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback, Squareback, Notchback: 1962-1973 (1500cc, 1600cc)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1961-1974 (1200cc, 1300cc, 1500cc, 1600cc)
• Volkswagen Type 181 Thing: 1973-1974 (1600cc)
• Custom Applications: Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, and Trikes utilizing VW 1200-1600cc based cases.

SPECS

• Brand: EMPI
• Part Number: 00-8105-0
• Total Piece Count: 7 Precision Components
• Material: High-tensile forged and machined steel
• Application: Air-cooled VW 1200cc through 1600cc (Upright Engines)
• Included Components:
  • 1x Main Crankshaft Timing Gear (Brass/Steel)
  • 1x Distributor Drive Gear
  • 1x Distributor Drive Pinion / Spacer
  • 1x Crankshaft Oil Slinger
  • 1x Heavy-Duty Gear Retaining Snap Ring
  • 1x Crankshaft Timing Gear Woodruff Key
  • 1x Distributor Drive Gear Woodruff Key
• Compatibility: Compatible with both stock and performance aftermarket crankshafts.

PRO TIPS

1. Proper Heat Expansion for Installation

Installing these gears is a press-fit operation that requires precision. Never attempt to hammer these gears onto a cold crankshaft snout, as you risk marring the bearing surfaces or cracking the gear hub. The professional method is to use a hot plate or a small toaster oven to heat the timing gear and distributor drive gear to approximately 250 degrees Fahrenheit. While the gears are heating, you can place your crankshaft in a freezer or use a chilling spray on the snout. Once heated, the gears will expand slightly, allowing them to slide onto the crankshaft with minimal effort. Always ensure you have your woodruff keys already seated and aligned before sliding the hot gears into place, as you only have a few seconds before the temperatures equalize and the gear "shrinks" onto the shaft.

2. Oil Slinger Orientation is Critical

One of the most common mistakes during a bottom-end assembly is installing the oil slinger backwards. The oil slinger is designed with a specific concave shape to direct oil away from the front main seal and back into the case. If you install it backwards, it will not only fail to manage oil flow correctly, leading to persistent leaks at the pulley, but it can also physically rub against the engine case webbing or the main bearing. Ensure that the concave "dish" side of the slinger is facing the pulley (away from the engine) to allow for proper clearance and centrifugal oil shedding. Double-checking this during the mock-up phase will save you the massive headache of having to split the case later to fix a preventable leak.

3. Inspect Woodruff Key Seating and Alignment