Hey everyone-
I just recently rebuilt pistons and cylinders on a 1600cc dual port to 1641cc because a compression test showed one cylinder very low compression and engine was not running good at all. I put took the engine out, put new pistons / cylinders on, cleaned up the heads and all other general maintenance. Put engine back in and started it up - it ran good for a 1/2 hour, messed with the timing, and tried to get it to idle good. But now engine won't stay idle- I found that if I spray carb cleaner on the 3,4 intake / head then it revs up. So I took the manifold off the 3,4 cylinders checked the gasket, put a little permatex on it, and bolted it back on .....and coming up with the same result. Still seeming to be lean and leaking air from the 3,4 head. Dont know if the head is warped, or a crack in it or what - I would have noticed something bad when I took the head off but it just looked dirty so I cleaned it and put it back on.
Any thoughts? Maybe I cant get the manifold to bolt on well to the head? Or maybe the head is bad?
I got to get this car running ASAP.
THANKS,
Mikey B

Did you checked the boots, for what you said it seems you have a bad head or a crack in the int manifold.
Where are you located ?

hey=
I double checked everything today again. loosened all the intake manifolds and boots and added more gasket sealant on the leaking area. I found that the way that the pre-heater tubes were bolted on was cocking the intake manifold so that it would push on the intake manifold of 3-4 cylinders and I guess not make a good seal. SO I bolted the manifolds good, then put the intake manifold with the carb so that it didnt push on anything, then slowly put the bolts to the pre-heater tubes, which was a pain in the ass but it worked. So starting it up, it sounded good, I had to adjust idle screws, and got it running pretty good. I think I have some carb issues where it just doesn't seem perfect but it works.
by the way, im out in NJ been trying to fix up the vw so i can drive out to CA- Im Matt's Brother- going to be staying with him for a while.
thanks for the help-
mikey b

Glad you got it running again! Maybe get a carb rebuilt kit and see if that will help.