Date:         Sun, 15 Dec 2002 21:12:08 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Top Overhauls
Comments: To: Robert Donalds <bostneng@FCL-US.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Bob, if the 2.1L engine has the problem of having the crank end of the
rod go out of round, in your experience what would you say the average
mileage of the 2.1L has on it before that problem shows up causing a
problem, ie, knocking, throwing a rod, whatever. It would seem that some
kind of average could be obtained to establish a time line to top
overhaul. That is something I would be very interested in. does this
start to show at around 75,000 miles. If caught early could you
reasonably expect to go to 150,000 miles without cracking the case for
new main bearing, IF a top overhaul was done at 75,000 miles to correct
the increasing elongation of the rod end and bolts ( as well as a valve
job, rings, head reseasl, etc, etc.)

TIA

John Rodgers
88 Gl Driver

Robert Donalds wrote:


> To sum it up these are not the only problems I have seen with WBX lower ends but they are the most common. High mileage  1.9s engines (as most are at this point) need lower end work and case machining to be brought back to correct specs clearances and bearing crush.
>
> 2.1 engines need at a minimum to have the rods replaced with properly rebuilt units when you do a top end.
>
>  The things that separates the reassemblers from the successful rebuilders is the ability to properly measure and correct the crush and clearances plus the experience to know what works with a willingness to have quality without compromise every time.