Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 18:06:57 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Evaluating a "Found" Engine
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you can run an engine on a garage floor just fine.
don't need to have a radiator.
just run a garden hose with flowing water through it. - a 'total loss'
cooling system that would be.
Take out the thermostat if you want.
There's not a lot of load on it so cooling doesn't have to be perfect, just
adequate.
you need a bell housing or transmission and starter of course.
battery ...........and a fuel pump and gas can. Some jumper cables or spare
battery cables.
you can just hot wire the fuel pump to run full time.
and you'll need an ECU, wiring harness, and main relay and coil....
sounds complicated already !
but not really that hard, kinda fun actually.
basically your choices are install it and try it like it is.
or take off the heads and re-do those, then try it in the van.
'if' there is some serious issue like a rod knock say, or low oil
pressure..........
the advantage to running it like it is now, is that you can find out about
'bigger' things like that before doing the heads.
Good idea to put an oil pressure gauge on it for a test run too,
though with lowish miles low oil pressure is not likely to be an issue.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Potts" <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 10:33 AM
Subject: Re: Evaluating a "Found" Engine
Hi Roger,
95,000 KM was the alleged mileage on the donor vehicle and
transmission, not the reman engine. This reman looks EXTREMELY fresh,
there is no dirt on it and the rubber seals look like new, though it's
obvious that the FI, alternator and cooling hoses were from the
original engine. I wonder if it would be possible to get build info on
the engine from VW Canada?
I have yet to inspect the exhaust studs or other hardware, but the
general picture is above average for a salvage engine. I would prefer
not to tear this down if I can help it, I don't really have the time
or an appropriate workspace for that kind of project. I'd sooner build
a jig with a spare radiator and fuel pump and run it on the garage
floor. I have done that before with aircooled motors, but has anyone
ever bothered with the WBX?
Suitable subies are not at all common in this market and I have
already decided on the V2 Zetec kit as my long term goal with this
vehicle... Is there anyone in Southern Ontario or upstate NY looking
for a complete low-miles VWoC remanufactured 2.1
Happy Trails,
Greg
Quoting Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>:
> 95K sounds pretty good, but I had a 1.9 with 62K that had rather advanced
> pitting on the heads. I was getting an occasional drip from the gaskets on
> very cold mornings. A full blown gusher was not too far away.
>
> I suggest that you load your 2.1 up with water and look for dripping on a
> very cold morning.
>
> Dripping or not, expect shot head gaskets. If you want this for a reserve
> engine, best to do the gaskets anyway. Better yet, sell it and get a
> Subaru
> 2.2 and wiring stuff. Work on a conversion while your current engine is
> expiring.
>