I'm rebuilding a 1960 VBB engine (actually a VGLA1T but I thinks thats the same) and have two questions:

1. When putting the crank in; do you put the bearings on the crank fisrt ( I do not have a special tool for this) and then put the complete assembly in the case halve; or do you put the bearings in the halves first and the put the crank in?

2. Do i need special factory tools? Especially the tools that go on the crank to protect the oil seals when putting the crank in. Do I realy need these? and where can I but them on the inet? I have a special factory manual that shows about 50 very handy tools but I don't know anyone ho has them. I.o.w.: can I rebuild this engine without special tools?

Thanks

ad 1.: I warm up the bearings and put them on the crank (to speed things up You could even put the crank in the fridge, preferably in a plasticbag). Then I warm up the casing(s) (with the seals) and put the crank bearing the bearings ( ) in. (Again the fridge is an option ...)

ad 2: Though those tools ARE very handy, You can easily help Yourself in most situations: put some grease on the seals and be a bit more careful when inserting the crank/putting halves together. That should be enough. If You encounter problems/destroy a seal, You could try making some home made "cloaking" device. A piece of thin metal plate to roll some kind of "wizard's hat" would be enough. But generally speaking a screwdriver, a hammer and one or two pliers are sufficient when dealing with Vespa engines

Bearbeitet 25. Juli 200421 Jr. von Lacknase

OK Thanks!!

- when putting the bearings on the crank; do you tap them on with a little hammer and a piece of wood or something or do they just slide on? and how do you know if they are seated coorectly on the crank; in other words; how much space must the be between the crankhalve and the bearing or do they just go on as far as they can go?

- another question; what kind of grease do you use when rebuilding a vespa engine; I have vasline or copper gease, bearing grease..and do you use grease on the other parts in the engine as well; the other bearings, the gears and shift rods?

ad 1: when the bearings are warm enough (80 to 95°C) they just slide on. It's even less difficult if You put the crank in the fridge before as said already. I'm not that sure about the gap between al VGLA's crank and bearing(s). Depends on the crank's bearing shaft - more or less, that is. But to circumvent the problem, just put the bearings in the fridge, heat up the casing and put the bearings in. After that You could heat up the whole halves bearings included and put the crank - again right out of the fridge - in. That should fit at last.

ad 2: Concerning mounting the engine ordinary grease for the seals is just right I think. Maybe to "glue" the case seal in place it's helpfull, too. For all the remaining "internals" oil would do. It's just importand to clean the bearing shafts from any grease before mounting the flywheel or clutch, since the grease prevents propper stability.

As far as maintenance is concerned, I use bearing grease (for the gear selector, wheel bearings, etc.).

Bearbeitet 25. Juli 200421 Jr. von Lacknase

ok..so now you say to put the bearings in the case first; it doesn't really matter how to do it I guess .. What do you meanby "ordinary greaese" for the seals; the same bearing grease you use on the wheel bearings?

And when putting the crank in the casings with the bearings in first; does it need a lot of force to put it in? And when you just tap it in; will it go in straight or is that kind of difficult? I saw on the internet that you can buy a crank pulling tool..is that very handy or is tapping it in just as easy..

you probably noticed I'm very unexperienced :)

Thanks!

I prefer putting the bearings on the crank. But if You are concerned about spaces and gaps U could put bearings in the case first as well. You said it: It doesn't matter, though i think first way is easier. For the seals' lips' health when inserting the crank any grease would do. It's a matter of just making things "slippery". (The h.p. bearing grease I use for wheel bearings is just too expensive for such a cosmetic thing IMHO ... but if money doesn't matter or there's just no alternative ... U could use it as well)

Concerning special tools: again as mentioned, when the case (with bearings or not) is hot and the crank (with bearings or not) ist cold, U could easily tap things in. U could use a crank puller as well ... once again ... if money doesn't matter. If it does and U just want a puller, you could use a selfmade tool like a piece of metal pipe that just "surrounds" the seal bearing / bearing "housing" outside, weld some washer on it that fits the crank's bearing shaft's end and use the flywheel side or clutch side female screw to pull things in place. The only big NONO is hammering the crank.

Bearbeitet 25. Juli 200421 Jr. von Lacknase