wrote:
> 1600cc Dual Port Type I Engine Questions - Help Please
>
> Hi!
> Today I went to check the oil level of my '73 beetle.
>
> While doing that I noticed the clamps on the intake manifold boot on
> the left (3,4) side had come a little loose and the boot had slid over
> exposing the left intake manifold and the center section gap.
>
> This probably had caused a lean air/fuel mixture on the left side.
>
> I had only made a few short 5 mile or so trips with the boot in the
> slid over position.
>
> After repositioning the boot and tightening the clamps, I took it for a
> test drive.
> It performed really well and ran smoothly and did not over heat.
>
> I could not tell that anything is wrong with it.
>
> I plan to do a compression test and probably will eventually replace
> the intake manifold boots so I can inspect the DP port on the left
> (3,4,) side for any cracks.
>
> How bad do you think this might have been for my 1600cc DP Type 1
> engine?
>
> How bad is it when there is a crack in the DP intake port of the
> cylinder head?
> Thanks In Advance!
> Sleepy Joe

Replace the boots and get new clamps. Don't tighten them too much. Just
tight but not so much as to cut the rubber.

I ran a machine shop years ago and rebuilt lots of VW heads. Cracks,
especially in dp heads were not uncommon and we welded them all the
time. I wouldn't try it now, been too long and out of practice but you
should be able to find a shop that can handle them if necessary. New
heads are not that expensive either.

<><
TC