Dec 16, 2021     Engine Disassembly - (1.6 hours)       Category: Engine

Finished removing all of the engine block accessories and cover plates. Pulled all of the spark plugs and noticed some strange gunk on the cylinder #2 lower plug. I also performed a magnet test after a hunch from reading a Bob Hoover blog post. This confirmed that my RevMastert has STEEL oil gallery plugs installed, which explains the corrosion near them.

https://bobhooversblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/vw-pulling-plug.html

https://bobhooversblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/av-pulling-plug-ii.html

https://bobhooversblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/help-more-on-plugs.html

My friend came over and help me lift the engine onto the engine stand and remove the shipping legs. The engine teardown can finally begin in earnest! Things suddenly look very "official" in the shop...

Before bed I just had to try out a random tip I stumbled upon in a JBUGS video today. Turns out the thread on the bottom of the Harbor Freight magnetic dial indicator mount is the same as the intake stud on the VW cylinder head. This makes for a great way to check the valve lifts, given that the VW case and heads are non-magnetic. Neat trick!

https://youtu.be/eTWXzYWieeg?t=212