Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 14:39:23 -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: <2f18aa9f0904080948i6d2cfac6y7d126c4051cc2e7f@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed; delsp=yes
>>>>>
I was doing some research on the samba and found that GoWesty Sells a
2.2 Piston set. So I called and found out they offer Rebuild kits
based on the same components they use for each of their engines they
sell.
2200 - $1295
2300 - $1995
2400 - $2595
2500 - $2995
All the kits have the same general components just sized accordingly.
I am now thinking of getting this 2300 kit plus the other rebuild
components to get a generally more powerful, fuel efficient engine. I
read the feedback on their site by customers who had installed the 2.2
and 2.3 kits and they all say they are getting over 21MPG. So the
trade off for the expense over the long run with the return for better
fuel economy seems to make sense.
What are your thoughts?
Here are the specs:
I was looking at getting a 2200 but was told they don't have of those
kits available right now but they would offer me a 2300 kit for $250
less.
2300cc ENGINE KIT:
COUNTER-WEIGHTED 78.65mm STROKE CRANKSAFT (EXCHANGE),
RECONDITIONED ROD SET (EXCHANGE),
RODS MOUNTED ON CRANK WITH NEW BEARINGS,
4 NEW 96.5mm PISTONS WITH WRIST PINS AND CLIPS,
4 PISTON RING SETS,
RECONDITIONED CYLINDERS BORED TO 96.5mm (EXCHANGE),
4 GOWESTY COPPER HEAD GASKETS
--PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE CORE CHARGES: TOTAL CORE CHARGES ARE THE SAME.
PRICE IS $1995.00 -250 (Discount) = $1745.00
CORE $750.00
APPROX SHIPPING $47.55
------------------------------
2200cc ENGINE KIT:
RECONDITIONED 2.1 LITER 76mm STROKE CRANKSAFT (EXCHANGE),
RECONDITIONED ROD SET (EXCHANGE),
RODS MOUNTED ON CRANK WITH NEW BEARINGS,
4 NEW 96mm PISTONS WITH WRIST PINS AND CLIPS,
4 PISTON RING SETS, RECONDITIONED CYLINDERS BORED TO 96mm (EXCHANGE),
4 GOWESTY COPPER HEAD GASKETS
--PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE CORE CHARGES: CRANK/$250, CAM/$100 , RODS/
$50EA , CYLINDERS/$50EA=$750 TOTAL CORE CHARGES
GVW-2200-KIT $1,295.00
CORE CHARGES $750.00
APPROX. SHIPPING $47.55
GoWesty Rebuilt Engines for 1986-1991 Vanagon
The original 86-91 2.1 waterboxer has a 76mm crankshaft stroke, and a
94mm piston diameter, and has an exact displacement of 2110cc. It has
a compression ratio of approximately 8.6:1 and is rated at 90hp and
117 ft-lbs of torque.
GoWesty 2.3 Rebuild Kit:
• Specially machined connecting rods & crankshaft with 78.65mm stroke
• Custom made in USA 96.5mm forged and coated JE brand pistons
• A exclusive proprietary camshaft grind specifically for this engine
• This engine OK to run on 87 Octane fuel and will pass tail pipe
emissions test.
Link on their Custom US Made Pistons - Comparison article:
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=105
GoWesty 2.3 liter upgrade:
USA-made, forged JE brand 96.5mm piston, 409 grams
78.65mm crankshaft stroke, counter-weighted
2300.9cc actual displacement
137mm connecting rod
1mm piston/cylinder head clearance
9.0:1 compression ratio, 87 octane OK*
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 2:32 PM, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@mac.com
>>>>> >
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 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
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
