ALH identification please...

[Luckypabst]

I'm trying to figure out what these three holes are for... and I'm not ready to open up the engine I have. They look like oil return, but I'd like to know for sure.

Thanks!
Chris

[syncroserge]

It's for the oil return that is part of the plastic windage tray.


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[Vincent Waldon]

Yup, just glued my oil pan back on (ALH uses sealant rather than an oil pan gasket) or I would take you a picture of the windage tray that plugs into the holes.

(EDIT: posted this from my Blackberry so didn't see that some kind soul had already posted pictures... ignore me!)

[Luckypabst]

That is perfect! Thank you guys!!
I couldn't figure out the recess in the oil pan rail... looks like it serves to clamp the windage tray in place. I just may need to open up the engine I have to work some stuff out...

This is where I'm at - trying for a simplified cutting process, but I think I need to put that material back and mill the recess as a second process:



Chris

[syncroserge]

Whaddaya mean Vince ? You don't keep extra engines around just to take pictures for other
diesel nuts  

On a side note, the 3" downpipe you sold me is now part of an AAZ powered Westfalia,
on it's way to Winnipeg. Worked great and it gets to travel...

[Luckypabst]

Hey SyncroSerge -
The K14 you sold me is alive and well in my Westy!

OK... I have another question: Are the ALH van guys scrapping the windage tray? Looks like the downhill side would restrict oil flow back to the pan. May need drain holes added on that side?

Back to the dungeon...
Chris

[Vincent Waldon]

On a side note, the 3" downpipe you sold me is now part of an AAZ powered Westfalia,
on it's way to Winnipeg. Worked great and it gets to travel...

Glad it found a good home... and not just any VDub... a Westfalia. 

[syncroserge]

Hi Chris,

For the windage tray, after talking to this guy: http://www.crank-scrapers.com/VW.html
he said the ALH plastic tray was a fair design and recommended keeping it and modifying it
to look like the older AAZ style tray. Just add elongated holes at the bottom as in;


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Sounds like you're scheming! Making anything interesting?
I made a custom pan for my ALH at 50 degrees, if that's the way you are going I have pictures.

Serge

[Luckypabst]

Yep... I'm working on an all steel pan, though the windage tray just threw me a curveball. I have the flange pretty much ironed out but now I need to see how the pan holds the tray in place...

Chris

[syncroserge]

I made a steel pan. I got a steel pan made for the ALH from Overland and built from that.
From what I have seen here of your skills you can definitely do better than that pan I got
from Overland, thin and poor fitting. I nicknamed that pan Frankenpan ! Not sure I want
to share pics of that 
I also made some out of aluminium. Vw has a steel bottom aluminium pan and I built onto
that. Looks awesome ! Some sites in Germany are starting to sell them. An adapter plate
for the Vanagon diesel pan is also available. I can round up pics if anyone is interested.

Serge

[Luckypabst]

Interesting... An adapter plate sounds kinda neat.

Ultimately I'd like to come up with a marketable product and starting from scratch would give the best results compared to modifying the stock cast ALH pan...
Add to that my paranoia about having that vast expanse of cast aluminum out back under my van, since I end up on rocks somewhat often. I'd much prefer the bend tendency of steel over the crack tendency of aluminum when I'm away from pavement.

Did you have any issues with the aluminum/steel pan? I was interested in that one to modify but was concerned about having part of the seal surface continuously submerged in oil.

Chris

[Luckypabst]

OK...
I found the Overland pan. The pan I'm building will crush that one! And it won't require any additional mods to work with an ALH at 50 degrees.

After an exhausting 90 second search, I couldn't come up with the pan adapter. Do you have any pictures/links?

I like the idea of the windage tray... but I'm curious just how necessary it is with the crankshaft rotated up and away from the sump like in the van.

Chris

[syncroserge]

Did you have any issues with the aluminum/steel pan?

I use that pan for the aluminium part. I build a replica of the diesel Vanagon pan from scratch,
all in aluminium. All the ones I've done were for syncros so no worries about the pan because
of the skid plate, and aluminium dissipates heat better.

From having removed the steel bottom part I don't think VW uses the same sealant as on
the pan to block. It is thick and sticky as hell. I wouldn't worry about it leaking.






The eBay.de link for the adapter is dead but I'm sure you can make one just from these pics




As for the windage tray I based my setup on this guy's posts. He stuck a camera in the pan !

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/TDI-conversion/message/11503

I kept the tray and added a spout to direct oil return right on the pick up tube