Dubbers Toy Box - Engine Break In & Warranty

Congratulations on the purchase of a high quality engine built by Dubber’s toy Box. There are certain procedures you need to follow before you can drive away.

First off DO NOT TURN or ROTATE The CRANKSHAFT BEFORE INSTALLING the DISTRIBUTOR. Doing so WILL DAMAGE the timing gears inside the engine. (NOT Covered under Warranty) The engine is supplied to you on Top Dead Center (TDC) to make distributor installation easy.

Install all of the peripheral accessories to complete the engine and get it ready to install into your car. This means the cooling tin, factory oil cooler, intake, alternator, exhaust, clutch, etc. We recommend cleaning and painting all the sheet metal. This will make your engine look new and help it cool better. Be sure you have all of the sheet metal installed, Volkswagen put it all there for a reason and it is required for warranty inspection. NO Power Pulleys, No Dual Carbs. DO NOT INSTALL the SPARK PLUGS at this time.

Inspect your engine compartment seals and replace them if they are missing or cracked. We WILL NOT WARRANTY your engine without these seals. If you are not running a heater be sure to block off the heater hose connections & holes in rear tin.

Install the engine into the car. Be sure to tighten all 4 mounting bolts/nuts. (yes, some people leave out the top bolt). Hook up all wires, cables & hoses. Don’t forget to use new fuel hose. If you are running heater boxes, be sure to install the fresh air hoses. Leaving them off will quickly overheat your new engine. Adjust the clutch pedal free play. Fill the crank case with oil to the top line on the dipstick. The stock 1600cc engine takes 2 ¾ - 3 quarts. We recommend using SAE 30 or 20W-50. NEVER USE any oil that has 5W or 10W listed on the bottle. Crank the engine over for oil pressure, the light should go out in approx. 30 seconds. After the light goes out, install the spark plugs.

Now fire the engine up for the first time. Quickly set the timing at idle or better yet with the Engine revved up set the timing at full advance 30 degrees BTDC. DO NOT LET THE ENGINE IDLE for the first 15 minutes. Hold the RPM at approx 1500-1800 RPM during this time. This allows the cam to break in to the lifters. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP. If you do not allow the cam & lifters to break in damage will occur to the cam & lifters.

After 15 minutes shut off the engine and let it cool down. CHANGE the OIL and CLEAN the SCREEN. This will remove the engine assembly lube and any other materials that may get in the oil from cam break in. Readjust the valves to .006”.

You can now go for a drive. Don’t race it around and don’t take it easy on it just drive normal. For the first 500 miles try to stay off of the freeway. If you must drive on the freeway vary your speed. Meaning, speed up and slow down so you do not keep the engine at a constant RPM. This will allow the piston rings to seat into the cylinders. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Check the oil level frequently as new engines will use some oil during the break in period.

To start the warranty, bring your car back to Dubber’s Toy Box to be inspected within 300 miles of installation. Be sure your odometer works, it is required for warranty. 1 year warranty is for STOCK APPLICATION ONLY, There is NO WARRANTY if used in non stock applications such as, dune buggies, sand rails, race cars, baja bugs, & kit cars. You have NO WARRANTY until you bring the car to Dubber’s Toy Box for inspection and receive your warranty card. Overheated engines void the warranty. Scuffed pistons & burnt rods/crank are caused by low oil level and NOT covered under Warranty.

Engine Break In

Engine Warranty

Your new or rebuilt STOCK engine from Dubber’s Toy Box is warranted for 1 year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Warranty covers the engine ONLY and DOES NOT cover any incidental or consequential damages including direct or indirect labor, towing, repair, freight, lodging, garage, medical or legal expense.

A temperature indicator tab was installed on the engine block. If it was missing call Dubbers Toy Box at 714-900-DUBS right away to have one installed. The Warranty is void if this tab is removed, damaged or missing. Because of the design of the VW air cooled engine it is susceptible to over hearting. It is important that it be installed and maintained properly. Because the following engine failures are normally caused by improper installation or incorrect adjustment of accessories, which is out of our control, they are not covered by warranty.

1. Burnt or Seized Pistons

2. Loose Cylinder Heads

3. Excessively Worn Piston Rings

4. Engine failure Due To Low or Dirty Oil Level (Burnt Rod, Burnt Crank, Seized Bearings, Pitted Lifters or Cam)

5. Burnt or Bent Valves

All Warranty Inspections are done at our shop ONLY! Maintenance records must be kept of oil changes, tune ups and valve adjustments. There is NO Warranty on engines used in NON Stock applications such as dune buggies, sand rails, baja bugs, kit cars, racing vehicles, etc. The use of power pulleys or dual carburetors will void the warranty. Missing engine compartment seals or engine sheet metal will void the warranty. Missing or broken odometer will void the warranty. There is NO Warranty on high performance engines. High performance engines are any engine larger than 1600cc’s or have non stock camshaft, light flywheel, larger valves, dual carburetors, etc.

After inspection, if approved you will receive your warranty card. Be sure to put it in a safe place because you will need it if any warranty issues come up.