Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 15:17:25 -0800
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 15 degree engine? Why that?
In-Reply-To: <000d01c8224d$77883320$ceb2d8d1@laptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hey Don et al.
This is long winded. Brace yerselves!
Honestly I'm still "torn", but here's why I'm leaning toward the 15
degree install.
a *little* less money.
KEP kit (adapter plate/flywheel/pilot bearing) vs. typical price of DV
parts. I have seen listings anywhere from $500-1000 or slightly more
for DV parts. At $500 I've noticed some pieces are missing. The KEP
should come in at $510 plus shipping. Also it should be less money as
I won't need to buy 1.8 head and related parts.
Less fidding with engine.
It's my first swap, so want to keep variables, in terms of engine
mechanics, down to a minimum. I know how to swap head/pan etc., (I
sucessfully did the head on my old diesel Rabbit and 62' Chevy 6 cyl.)
but would rather not mess with things. Besides, I have already
completely rebuilt my clutch housing, the clutch is still good, plus I
have a spare clutch and starter for this setup. If I were to put in a
new clutch disk/plate, things would be basically new from face of
tranny to end of crank. Plus I'll be getting a relatively low KM donor
ABA. Around 130K KM's. This sounds like a less dicey arrangement for
my needs.
Engine support.
One has to make, or have made, the support for the engine. I am
interested in learning a bit about MIG welding so I "see the sport" in
this aspect and would be happy learning even more aspects of
conversions while doing this project. But, IMHO, making the support
may be one potential deal breaker for most people, hence the 50 degree
approach.
Everyone has different needs/situation. The 50 degree looks
attractive, but for my first effort, I'd rather not be swapping head
out (I understand the 1.8 head on ABA 2.0 is best for this install),
swapping in all the FI stuff for the 1.8 head and DV parts onto the
ABA. It's more than people realize. i.e. one other detail: IMHO, it's
best to install a windage tray in the oil pan at the 50 degree angle
mount though not absolutely neccesary. There may be other details as
relates to the head swap, but I can't recall right now.
Some would think I'm nuts (not saying you do) for gambling on trying
to MIG weld a support and for losing a bit of room in the rear. But I
will find it interesting to learn a bit about MIG welding. Maybe even
enough to be able to do some fabbing for other projects.
As for projetc costs, I will try to keep this project budget under
$2000 as this bus is no "prize". i.e. not worth investing too much
more. Another reason I went this route. As it stands, the donor car
and KEP stuff should come in at $1100-ish. Obviously I"m not counting
the welder in this. Price for having a fabricating shop make support?
Dunno.....
Anyhow, these are my reasons for now. We'll see what the reality is
once I get my hands in there and wrap my head around all of this.
Cheers,
Neil.
--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
"Jaco" (Bustorius)
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
On 11/8/07, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
> Just curious. Am I missing something? Why does the 15 degree engine
> transplant keep getting questions? It seems pretty wrong..like there are
> all kinds of reasons why you ( well, reasons that *I* would consider as
> 'deal-breakers') wouldn't probably choose to do it that way..Unless I am
> missing something, the diesel type 50 degree install seems like a
> no-brainer..It fits under, has just as much clearance as a regular van, no
> messing inside the motor or swapping major components around with other
> motors..Cheap as dirt and dead-nuts reliable..How many Rabbits, Golfs,
> Jettas etc are out there running on and on? Anywhere in the world you can
> find a mechanic that will know how to work on the inline four VW motors, and
> if you don't want to bother fixing it, should it ever break, just get
> another from the junkyard for a few hundred bucks..
> Would a 15 degree install be cheaper somehow?
>
> Just curious...Not saying there is anything wrong, if that is what you
> want to do.
> Don Hanson
>