Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 05:58:07 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: How To Choose YOUR Engine Conversion
In-Reply-To: <CAB2RwfjMTv+C=Dwa8c68q2sLpiW5=ygE4FVzhNOUJc9GkT60hg@mail.gmail.com>
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My conversion was done with a similar 'attitude' to Neil's. I didn't
care to or have the money or time to learn whole new skill-sets like
welding or electrical engine control systems like he did, but I was curious
as to what the inside of a motor really looked like.
. I began my "own" conversion, not from a WBX motor but from a 1.8 liter
inline VW (92 Jetta). It was already in my van when I bought it. I found
my van offered on a nearby Craig's list, after already having decided I
wanted no part of another VW van (I owned constantly breaking air cooled
vans when I was a "kid") if it had a stock WBX motor. They had a bad rep
for reliability, according to the Internet talk. I was looking for
already converted vans, but the Subaru ones were all above my budget and
often came with 'baggage' of electrical anomalies, etc.....The Zetec
conversions weren't available then, but they, too, would have put me off,
cost-wise.
When the 84 with a 92 Jetta/Rabbit 1.8 liter and all the diesel style
components came up for a low price nearby, I bought it and drove it, pretty
much as purchased, for about 30k miles. During this time I was reading up
on inline VW motors because I like to mess with stuff....and there's plenty
of information on inline VWs of the various types. Plenty of cheap parts,
too.
The 2.0 ABA block/1.8 8 valve head 'hybrid' configuration really
intrigued me. From reading and discussing it with some others who had them
running in various vehicles, it seemed to me to be something I could do
without 're-inventing the wheel' or breaking my own meagre bank. I began
looking, casually and without any actual need, for a 2.0 liter ABA block....
I found a 93 Jetta ABA complete motor on C.L. for $300, drove my van up
and came home with that one on the floor. It had been unbolted and the
wires cut with a sawzall...everything still on the "lump".....
Since my Vanagon had become my primary transportation I didn't really want
it "down" for too long. As it turned out, it took me under a week to
complete the whole swap-over to the new block, even with forgetting the
pilot bearing and having to remove the tranny and replace an oiled up
clutch I caused by driving it for a day or two without a pilot bearing...I
could probably do the swap now in a day.
I learned a lot and it cost me just $600 to put the 'new improved'
engine together and re-install it. It's been more than satisfactory for
about 50k miles now. I didn't learn to weld or anything. Didn't get to
convert a Digi to a Motronic, or figure out OBD ! from ECU or
EMS........but I did get to un-wind and re-torque some bolts, right at the
comfort of my workbench and my Harbor Freight engine stand.... I saw
pistons, camshafts, distributor drive gears, etc. Water hoses up the
Gazoo....If I can do this stuff on a $hoestring and in a timely manner, it
ain't very hard. But I did do my homework first, and I did have the
patience to work through the process on my own, giving me great
satisfaction...and a very capable vanagon.
Don Hanson
On Tue, Sep 18, 2012 at 10:00 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> And this wasn't written to suggest that I actually became a fabricator,
> weldor, or wiring expert. Far from it!
>
> But give me a claw hammer, dull hacksaw and over sized iron, and I'll make
> something. ..... or "fly the green".
>
> ;^)
>
> Neil.
>
> On Tue, Sep 18, 2012 at 9:44 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> .... Yes there were things to iron out, mostly due to my lack of skills. (
> > "Really? You're going to learn MIG and fabrication and wiring and
> ......")
> >
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>
> '88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
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