Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 14:32:15 -0400
Reply-To: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Rebuild Questions
In-Reply-To: <D022D681-B030-44C1-82C2-2E720C31ADFB@mac.com>
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Just got back from a meeting the rebuilder and we are replacing:
oil pressure valve
oil pressure relief piston spring
All New Lifters
New AMC Spanish Heads
Wrist Pin Bushings
Cam Shaft - Reground from Van-Cafe
Complete Gaskets Replacement of All seals
Piston Cylinder Kit - From Van Cafe - German Mahle ( does anyone
recommend the 2.2 piston kit from Vanagain or GW?)
Piston Engine Ring Set - Grant Brand
Standard Main Bearing Set
Crank Shaft bearing kit
Rod Bearings - Standard
New Temp Sensor with Lower threshold to keep the engine cooler* - Van
Cafe 80 degree
New Oil Pressure Sensors
The rebuilder said all the other parts looked good.
Indeed he has done these before he said and he realizes the
complicated nature of how torque ratio's and well as the extreme
precision of the tolerances are required. In fact he said he really
dislikes working on all the German engines regardless if it is VW,
Mercedes or BMW. For him hey says they use way to many bolts and misc.
parts to complicate the process. He told me once the parts arrive he
can have it done within 3-4 days. Sound about right?
Am I missing any other crucial parts to replace?
He said the crank, stud bolts and other key parts all looked good and
said the engine seems in otherwise good shape for its age.
Thanks for assistance.
Rob
NY
On Apr 6, 2009, at 1:29 PM, Robert Stewart wrote:
> Good Monday to everyone,
>
> I have a local engine rebuilder working on my 2.1 Automatic engine
> which had roughly 250,000 miles on it.
>
> He informed my heads needed to be replaced. I could clearly see the
> space between the two valves having a indentation bridging them and
> the surface areas were very badly pitted.
>
> I planned on purchasing a set of rebuilt heads from Van-Cafe, anyone
> think this a good or bad idea?
> Anyone used them before? Have any feedback?
>
> Secondly is there anything regarding the rebuild that is a must to
> replace component wise since he has it all apart?
> i.e. sleeves, pistons, camshaft etc...
>
> I am awaiting a final parts list from him now but want to be sure I am
> not missing anything.
>
> Before he rebuilds it he is going to be cleaning all the parts in a
> special bath then glass bead blasting the non sensitive parts.
>
> Also how long should a standard rebuild take? i.e. 7-21 days? or is it
> something that can be done in a 40 hour work week?
> What kind of price should I expect?
> He told me it would be roughly $1500 dollars.
> He said he would be check to see if the camshaft needed to be reground
> and would check all valves etc. His shop only does rebuilds but of
> mostly race car engines and big truck engines so I trust he knows what
> he is talking about. He is not a VW guy at all he just knows engines.
> I did give him the Bentley just to be safe though.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Robert
> NY