Date:         Wed, 24 Jul 2002 09:47:25 EDT
Reply-To:     Richiesbad@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richie Chunda <Richiesbad@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: TiiCo Question - One Man's Answer
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 7/23/02 3:24:35 PM, poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU writes:

<< THis is very importnat as there is reason to believe we have a 1.8
and not a 2.0L. >>

Matthew,

It seems that you want to determine the displacement of your engine without
popping off the head.  If you really want to know for certain AND do not mind
peckering around a bit, read on.  Otherwise, don't waste your time.

If I wanted this information, I would do a little volumetric analysis.  I
would start by getting my hands on a big-assed burette or hack together
something similar to one.  Hell, even an 1 liter plastic bottle with the
bottom cut out and a Sharpie for drawing a couple of tic marks will suffice.
Since the difference of the two possible displacements is in the range of 50
cc, it should be an easy task to devise even a rude setup with the attendant
accuracy.

Fabricate a hose bard adapter with the same thread as your sparkplug (If
nothing else, punch out the insulator from a sparkplug and affix a hose barb
to it).  Connect the Differential Measurement Reservoir (aka, DMR or burette
or whatever you want to call it) to the subject cylinder by way of the
adapter.

At this point, it becomes a little complicated.  If it is a noninterference
engine, i.e., the valves do not drop below the deck height of the piston,
close the valves of the cylinder being measured and remove the timing belt.
Should it be an interference engine, you have little choice but to remove the
camshaft.  Some more work, certainly, but not too much more.

By now, you should know where this is leading.  With the piston at TDC, dump
a little more than half a liter, say 750 cc of motor oil into the DMR.  Roll
the engine over a few times to pop the air bubble in the combustion chamber
as much as possible.  If any air remains because of the geometry or attitude
of the combustion chamber, it will not affect the differential measurement
unless the engine is, for some perverse reason, packed in dry ice during the
measurement regimen.  Note the displacement from TDC to BDC and you will have
the data you seek.

Drain as much of the oil from the cylinder as possible then, with a baffle of
absorbent material poised over the subject cylinder's sparkplug hole, spin
the engine with the starter to blow out most of the residual oil.  All that
is left to do is to retrace your steps.

That is what I would do.

Richie