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I cannot find the spec or the cam/cam bearing oil clearance. Anyone know what it should be? Thanks

Radial clearance? 0.02/0.12mm.

Yes radial. I was going to use my green plstigauge, but .02 is a lot more clearance than I was thinking. That is quite loose. Thanks.

OK I finally found the specs in my "How to rebuild your VW air cooled engine" - Tom Wilson

.0008 to .002" (.002" prefered), which is .02 to .05mm
The wear limit is .0047" or .12mm

So I can use my green plastiguage

Pascal, I was just about to post the same question. You beat me to it.
Really good info, thanks.
Just been checking my clearances. Found some interesting variations depending on which bearings I use. Found 2.5-3 thou clearance with both my old 100k mile original factory bearings and a new set of German Kolbensmidt bearings. I then measured it using a set of new Mexican (I think) Silverline bearings and got 1.75-2 thou.

busboy1303 wrote:Just been checking my clearances. Found some interesting variations depending on which bearings I use. Found 2.5-3 thou clearance with both my old 100k mile original factory bearings and a new set of German Kolbensmidt bearings. I then measured it using a set of new Mexican (I think) Silverline bearings and got 1.75-2 thou.

I got .002 on one journal, and between .0025 and .0028 on the other two with new Kolbensmidt bearings.

Have you measured your journals with a micrometer?

Here's the thing. Compare the KS bearings to your original factory bearings. The KS ones only have thrust surfaces on one of the bearing halfs, and they weight a lot less than the originals. The Mexican bearings feel about the same weight as the originals and they have double thrust bearings. They actually look more of a direct replacement than the KS ones.

http://www.germansupply.com/home/custom ... at=&page=1

These are the ones I have. I notice in the description that they say KS no longer makes steel backed bearing for the aircooled VW. Maybee thay is why your set is lighter that the OE or the Silverline ones.

Hi Pascal. Yeah that makes sense. The Silverline definitely feel more substantial than the KS ones. I really like KS normally, but these don't really compare to the originals.
On the link you posted, if KS don't make steel backed bearings anymore, what make are the ones they're supplying with the set?
The Silverline ones are the only ones I could find with the double thrust.
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Cam ... tartRow=92
I was a bit disappointed when they turned up because I'd never heard of them before but when I compared them to the originals they actually looked ok.