for Puch 500 and Haflinger
2025
27.02. – 02.03.2025 Stuttgart Retro Classics
Treffen in der Südpfalz
Wochenende auf dem Kaltes Feld
14. – 15.06.2025 Haflingerausfahrt Glarus Süd (Linthal)/CH
11. – 13.07.2025 Fiat 500 und Steyr Puch Treffen im Tannheimer Tal/Tirol
Luxemburgtour – Wemperhardt/L – in Planung
September 2025 Haltingen Markgräfler Hock
Donnersbach Planneralm Bergpreis
November 2025 Jahresabschlusstreffen in Weibersbrunn – Brunnenhof
Last update 01.01.2025 – Without guarantee
Can still be saved with lasers?
Where there is air, there is life – sometimes a life of its own. This time the crankshaft. Does the welding machine help?
This article is about an engine like the one we find in the Puch 500 and Haflinger.
During the test drive, after starting the vehicle, the engine speed changed when the clutch pedal was pressed. This led to the suspicion of excessive axial backlash of the crankshaft, as this drives the ignition distributor and the associated ignition adjustment influences the engine speed.
The test by simply moving the pulley back and forth brought the certainty. Under certain circumstances, the V-belts have to be relaxed. A dial gauge confirmed the result with 0.8 mm. In the workshop manual we find 0.17- 0.29 mm, wear limit 0.6 mm.
A disassembly of the engine showed a still decent overall picture, but clear axial inlet marks on the crankshaft, also the crankshaft bearing to the flywheel has lost width.
The cause was probably an impetuous clutch foot.
A classic vehicle clutch must be operated as digitally as possible (almost) digitally, left the clutch pedal after changing gears and also carried out the engine start WITHOUT a clutch being pressed. These measures prolong engine life.
At some point, the simple adjustment option of the axial backlash of the crankshaft to target size via copper disc is over. This is now the case with about 70% of all engine revisions.
Today, with the help of laser technology, it is possible to repair run-in crankshafts. The applied material hardness can be selected. The running layer now has a hardness of approx. 60 HRC. Depending on the effort, we are talking about costs of 100-200 euros. After that, the surface must be sanded.
More information about laser application welding can also be found in this film.
…. for grinding it is now, will be resumed shortly
If the crankshaft is still dimensionally stable, but still no axial backlash can be adjusted with suitable copper discs, the machining of the flywheel helps as a small solution.
With the milling machine, 0.1 – 0.2 mm can be removed very precisely. Mill because here the basic alignment to avoid impact is much easier in contrast to the lathe. Important here are two points:
The throttle valve wave
Where there is air is life – sometimes also a life of its own.
This article is about the original carburetor types of the Puch engines, especially Pallas Zenith 32NDIX and Weber 32ICS. There is excellent literature on this, without which a carburetor overhaul should not be carried out!
The oldi runs strangely, sometimes the engine goes out, sometimes it turns too high. The ignition is fine, the centrifugal force adjustment in the distributor is smooth and resets? What can it be?
Too much air? Wrong air?
They are getting old, the carburettors. They used to do what they should. Cleaning them, assembling a new sealing kit is only half the work. A cleaned carburetor looks good, but an often neglected error lies in the throttle area.
A beaten throttle valve shaft can be easily tested with sensitivity. Is the wave wobbling up and down in its leadership? This is the case for many of the Puch carburetors today. Gasoline leaks and air enters through the wave game. At a point where it shouldn’t be.
There are now new shafts, some with slightly larger diameters and good quality bearing bushings and sealing rings. This can be used to correct the problem described. The testing and overhaul of other components in this context, is not here content of this article.
With the help of precise tools and machines, the holes are revised and restored to target state. In the case of the 32NDIX, it is immediately upgraded to the last stage with X-sealing ring.
The motor thanks it with better conrun, with defined mixture formation and precise adjustment capability. As in the past…
Ideas are good. Even better to put them into practice. Sometimes it takes a wedding party. And a Puch 500. But now in turn.
The title itself is not quite correct, but it is understood. Often enough, there are standing-up vehicles that best turn into vehicles through species-appropriate movement. With the help of special ideas and supporters from our circle of friends, a project has developed for this purpose, this story is to report on this. The last entries are always up here, behind this line. Continuing…
Jan 2020
Large parts sea
rchAcross the shelves and boxes runs the search track. There was….. Piece by piece, it is pulled out, tried out, compared. Some things disappear right away. "Much too new, far too modern", is only good for tinkering. Handbrake, speedometer? Doesn't need a racing car, so far only weight has been. Bumpers? The original round, are still somewhere. Just don't throw anything away.
History
Every historical vehicle has one. Dealing with it is exciting and often makes you want more. What was the state of extradition? Who was the first owner? What is all of it today? Everything is evolving, not always in the right direction. Depending on who is looking at it. Colour, rims, tyres, the use of modern materials are keywords here that will continue to be discussed here in the future.
The wedding partyS
ome are closely connected with their Pucherl, give him names, celebrate wedding days and gladly share their joy. This is how a first spark for our project came about years ago. Surely it will get a name later, let's call it "Art-friendly outlet" at the moment.
With us there is something going on – soon the doors will open
Rally
Offroad
Racing
Not seen for a long time, finally the wheels turn again. Some of the vehicles had disappeared from the scene for more than 30 years. Put away for time reasons, but never forgotten. After extensive restorations, they return to the street or into offroad.
We are pleased with the proud owners to finally be able to experience them again in 2020.
