Hi Mike, I think you're a bit optimistic. That 914 engine will cost a lot more $$$ to rebuld and will not be as reliable in the vanagon as for the 914 it was designed for. Pushing a heavy vehicle will generate a LOT of heat in those heads, which they are not designed to absorb. And the 914/912 engine tin isn't going to fit the vanagon, either. I had a 914 engine in a 1972 westy for a year, and it was a blast... right up until the day a rod found its way out of the crank-case.
If you're looking for reliable air-cooled performance, go with the stock 2L and get some of the boston-bob heads with improved valves and seats installed. Happy Trails, Greg Potts 1973/74/75/77/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato" www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia www.busesofthecorn.com
On 20-Sep-06, at 10:09 AM, Mike Rouby wrote: > Have your friend do himself (herself) a favor. Get a late 914 2.0 > (or 912E) engine. Rated at 90+ hp, it will leave the 67hp stocker > in the dust. On the negative side, the 914 engine uses solid > adjustable lifters vs. the Vanagon's hydraulic ones. > > > Budd Premack <bpremack@MN.RR.COM> wrote: > A friend of mine is getting an 81 Westy from which the original > 2.0 air cooled was removed. He is willing to rebuild a bad engine. > Does anyone have an engine or thoughts on where one can be obtained > at reasonable cost. Since the original engine is missing, the cover > plate sheet metal is also needed. > > Budd Premack > 91 GL, 86 Syncro > Land of Sky-Blue Waters |
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