Smaller? That sounds weird and weak. IIRC, John Muir wrote that the 36hp was a fabulous engine as long as you didn't try to get it to make actual power. But be aware that I have only worked on one 36hp in my life, and that was one I put together starting from the junk pile at the independent VW shop I worked at in about 1979. It went into a 1961 convertible. I knew it wasn't correct, but I wanted to experience one. It taught me a lot about paying attention to the road WAY ahead. I have little doubt that 36hp technology has improved since John wrote the first Idiot book.It’s not too bad, I just wish they would make the cranks with smaller rod journals.
Wow, I would have never guessed 200hp. I'm impressed.Yeah there was a big push several years ago to see how much power you could get out of a 36'er, I think there's some guys getting close to 200hp out of them. A smaller rod journal won't make the crank weaker, a small block chevy has a 2 inch rod journal diameter where the aircooled veedub has a 2.5 inch diameter rod journal.