CMI Stainless Steel Crank Pulley Bolt & Washer Kit | VW Type 1 Air-Cooled | Upgrade Hardware (#A07)

CMI Stainless Steel Crank Pulley Bolt & Washer Kit | VW Type 1 Air-Cooled (#A07)

CMI high-strength stainless steel crank pulley bolt and washer kit for VW Type 1 air-cooled engines. A direct upgrade over the soft, mild-steel factory hardware that strips, stretches, and corrodes — common failure points on stock and performance air-cooled builds alike.

Why the Factory Crank Pulley Bolt Fails

The stock VW crank pulley bolt is a known weak point on the Type 1 engine. It threads into the front of the crankshaft and carries the load of the entire pulley, fan belt, and alternator system. Over time — especially on engines apart multiple times for service — the factory bolt threads stretch, the head deforms, and the washer corrodes against the pulley face. The CMI kit replaces both the bolt and washer with stainless steel parts machined to higher tolerances than the factory hardware.

Vehicle Fitment

• All VW Type 1 air-cooled engines: Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Type 3, Thing, Bus (through 1971)

• Kit cars: Dune buggies, sand rails, and kit cars running Type 1 engines

Will NOT fit: Type 4 engines (1972+ Bus, 411, 412, Porsche 914), which use a different crank pulley fastener system.

Key Features & Benefits

• Stainless Steel Construction: Resists the corrosion and thread stretch that plague the factory plated-steel bolt and washer.

• Higher Tolerances: Machined to tighter tolerances than the factory hardware for a secure, reliable clamp on the crank.

• Complete Kit: Bolt and washer supplied together — a quick, low-cost upgrade that replaces the fastener only.

Technical Specifications

• Material: Stainless steel (bolt and washer)

• Application: Crankshaft front pulley fastener

• Sold As: Bolt + washer kit

• Manufacturer: CMI

• Part Number: #A07

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to use thread locker? Yes. Even with upgraded stainless hardware, a medium-strength (blue) thread locker on the crank pulley bolt is standard practice — the bolt sees constant vibration and harmonic load.

• What torque spec should I use? Follow the standard VW crank pulley bolt torque spec for your engine (typically around 33–40 ft-lbs). Over-torquing into the crank threads can strip the crankshaft, a much more expensive failure.

• Will stainless react with my aluminum pulley? The stainless washer won't corrode against the pulley face the way the factory plated-steel washer does. A light film of anti-seize on the bolt threads is recommended for future removal.

• Can I reuse my old pulley? Yes — this kit replaces the fastener only, not the pulley. If your pulley is in good shape, this is a quick, low-cost upgrade.

Explore Related Categories

Servicing your engine? Browse Engine Parts, Hardware, and our full VW Air-Cooled catalog.