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Date:         Mon, 3 Nov 2008 21:22:52 -0500
Reply-To:     Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject:      Re: Evaluating a "Found" Engine
Comments: To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
In-Reply-To:  <145601c93e22$08c0c0f0$6701a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi Scott,

The total loss cooling system; that's brilliant. I've done that with outboard motors lots of times. It just didn't occur to me it could be done with a WBX motor. It's certainly cheaper than sacrificing a couple gallons of coolant.

As for the ancillary stuff... I built a bench-test rig for my 1.8L L-jetronic type4 engine last winter, it wasn't that hard to do, and I still have all the components. The "new-to-me" engine came complete with all the goodies from starter to alternator to airbox to tailpipe and I think that the garage-floor test run would also be a good opportunity to test out those bits and pieces before the install.

I think I will do the compression test first, then separate the engine and trans and check out the clutch. The clutch wear will probably be a reasonable indicator of the use that this engine has seen... if the clutch looks new, it's a fair bet that the engine has not seen much use. I suppose that it *might* have been assembled with a used clutch, but probable not. Who's gonna cheap out on a clutch kit after buying a $2800 reman engine?

Thanks for the input, it is definitely appreciated!

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts 1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato" 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop www.busesofthecorn.com www.pottsfamily.ca

Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote: > 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. >>


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