Date:         Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:17:01 -0800
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Replace 1.9 with a 2.1 WBX
In-Reply-To:  <186938.63669.qm@web82706.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I took a quick look at Old Volks Home article. I think I will
find a lot of answers for my questions there too.

But here is one that's probably not covered in the article.
I have at least two pairs of 1.9 OEM cylinder heads now. One
pair is on my running 83 Westy, and the other on my spare 1.9 engine
that needs rebuild too. Now that I have the 2.1 block I will not
work on the 1.9 spare. Rather I may take the cylinder heads from
it and use them on the 2.1.

My understanding is that this will increase the compression ratio
a little. Is it worth doing so? I will use a set of new cylinder/
piston liner for the 2.1. I will send the 1.9 heads to a machine
shop to rebuild. I think the slightly higher compression ratio
can not be a bad thing, Can it?

David


--- On Thu, 2/19/09, David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> From: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
> Subject: Replace 1.9 with a 2.1 WBX
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Thursday, February 19, 2009, 5:11 PM
> I took a plunge and bought a used 2.1 WBX engine today from
> a savage
> shop. I have been looking for a long while for a 2.1 that
> can be
> rebuilt to replace my 1.9 from my 83 Westy. I found it on
> Craigslist
> last night. I kept calling this morning then received a
> call back
> near noon. The engine was still available and I went to
> pick it up.
>
> It came with all the intake manifolds, fuel injectors, fuel
> lines,
> fuel pressure regulator, water pump, thermostat housing,
> all 3 mount
> harness for alternator, power steering pump, air
> conditional compressor,
> etc. The fly wheel and pressure plate were taken off but
> are included.
> There is no distributor but they managed to find one to
> give it to me.
> There is also a throttle body in place but no AFM there. I
> was told
> I could have one for extra money.
>
> The only major parts that are missing are exhaust headers
> and everything
> beyond that. I could turn the crank pully a full turn
> without hearing
> any sound that was suspicious. I believe this is possibly a
> good core to
> rebuild from. Of course I have to take it apart to be sure.
> I was told
> that it has head gasket leak and it was pulled 4 months ago
> from a 88
> Vanagon. It shows no sign of being taken apart recently.
>
> What I intend to do is to rebuilt it using as many 1.9
> parts on top
> of the engine and swap out my 1.9 from my 83 Westy. The 1.9
> engine
> was rebuilt by me last year. But I have always wanted a
> 2.1. I need
> more power because I went to Yosemite very frequently.
>
> I think this was done by many before. My first question is
> if I can
> use the 1.9 exhaust system still. I think the answer is
> probably not.
> The next question is if I can use the 1.9 AFM attached to
> the 2.1
> throttle body. I can try it to find the answer. But I would
> like to
> hear what you folks would suggest. I will look into the
> archive too.
> But maybe this is something to discuss about one more time
> here.
> Any suggestions on how to do a good rebuild on the bottom
> block will
> be appreciated. I am not in a big rush. I am willing to
> take 3 to 4
> months to get it done.
>
> Oh, BTW, I paid $100 for the 2.1. I think this is very
> cheap. The shop
> said they have had it for 4 months so they just want to get
> rid of it.
>
> David