Gaari Means Car. Car Reviews & Car News

Tom Wilson’s book brings the mystique of engine rebuilding down to a level that your average backyard mechanic can understand. It is as easy to use as John Muir’s book when is comes to rebuilding a VW engine. It does not take hundreds of hours to do nor does it take thousand of dollars. Rebuild kits with cylinders, pistons, etc are relatively cheap and, if these parts are servicable, a gasket kit and rings will be well under a hundred dollars. I rebuilt my engine for about three hundred dollars and it runs like a charm. It took one week to do part time; about twenty hours. Little in the way of specialized equipment is needed. Machining, if needed, is usually minimal and not costly. I only have the usual range of socket wrenches and stuff and no specialized equipment. Muir’s book even tells you how to make inexpensive substitutes that work excedingly well. Wilson’s book cuts to the chase and tells you what you need to know. If you have an average level of mechanical ability you can do this.
Rating: 5 / 5

If you are knowledgeable about engines but not VW’s this book is for you. Tom Wilson solves the mystery of what part goes to what engine. Mr.Wilson even tells you how to identify the old 36hp engines no longer used. He tells where to find part numbers what parts to replace for street use and what to replace for hard high rpm use. Terms like crank whip,counter weight, and such are explained. While aimed primarly at the street Beetle owner a valuable addition to the shop library, specialy if you are starting with a pile of parts
Rating: 4 / 5

If you are planning on rebuilding your VW or Porsche 914 engine, or are even just curious about what’s involved, then this is the book for you. The book is broken down into several excellent sections: engine removal, teardown, parts interchange, reconditioning, assembly, and burnin. Detailed B&W photos document every step involved. This is by far one of the best how-to books out there, and is almost all you need to rebuild your engine (factory manuals would help to supplement the book too)…. it’s a great buy, and definitely worth purchasing even if you’re not going to rebuild your motor, but want to know what’s involved, or why your mechanic is charging you so much. I’m currently writing a similar book on rebuilding the Porsche 911 engine, and I’m modeling it after this one.
Rating: 5 / 5