VW engine basics

#Pop the plug wires out of the looms and pull aside. Loosen the generator strap (13mm or 1/2"), and slide out of the way. On each end of the shroud you will see a screw or a 10mm bolt. Sometimes you just have to loosen them, sometimes they must be taken out. Lift the shroud up and to your right and set aside.When this is clear, remove the plug wires from the plugs and remove the distributor cap and rotor.I normally don't remove the carb,but that's personal preferrence. Major thing now, remove the intake and carb as a unit,the four bolts that hold the heat risers to the exhaust are usuallly a real bear to get loose without twisting off,the best ways I've found to loosen them is #1.heat them with a torch(propane is ok)until they come loose or,Peen them with a chisel or punch and give them several sharp raps(really,hit 'em like you love 'em).If this doesn't work, twist them off,they make self-tapping bolts specifically for this purpose,just drill them out and put a new bolt in. At the bottom of the intake tubes you will see 2 10mm nuts or bolts on each side,remove these and take the intake off,taking care not to tip it over.                                                                                                                            Now it's time to take the muffler and heater boxes off,I usually leave the sheet metal on the bottom there and remove it with the heater boxes.To remove the muffler,first,the two clamps that hold the muffler to the heater boxes,if the 10mm bolts won't come loose,break them off,the kit with the clamps,new bolts and nuts is cheap,cheap,cheap.The composite seal and washer between the muffler and heater boxes is easily split with a sharp chisel,if the joint seems rusty,tap around it with the ball end of the hammer until its free.The best way I've found to get the nuts off the exhaust flanges is to take a long,sharp chisel and split the nuts if they aren't already free,being careful not to damage the threads on the stud,now,take the muffler off. The heater boxes are very similar,on the bottom sheet metal,there are 2 screws on the bottom of the case inside on the case and 2 more at the flywheel end of the case. Remove these and remove the flange nuts the same way as on the muffler. Set them aside and look at the pulley end of the engine,on each side,under the upper sheet metal there are 2 deflectors,each held on by 2 screws.take them out,pay attention,things are simple,but not foolproof.With these pieces off,take the 2 top deflectors off,2 screws on each side. now you are finally looking at the motor. I'll add more when I can,I hope tomorrow. Tom I apologize,my father has been in the hospital and I've been up at the VA with him,I'll post more when he's better.