Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 21:27:05 -0500
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Head Leaking Around The Head Nut(S)
In-Reply-To: <CAHTkEuLrFksJCyW57aaxXAedcNssFkVyE-a9ME2rVTM-MvDS7g@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
My familiarity with flat engines is mostly of the aircraft type, but
there are similar considerations between them and the WBX and aircooled
flat fours. The flat aircraft engines, the WBX and the aircooled VW
engines are wonderfully made to be able to do a top overhaul fairly
easy. First and always, one should do a crankshaft run-out check to
determine wear condition of the crankshaft and main bearings. If good -
or within limits - and oil pressure history is good - a top overhaul
could/should be considered. Remove intake and exhaust, pull the heads,
pull the jugs/cylinders and pistons and you are halfway there. New
jugs/cylinders, pistons/rings and perhaps new rod piston pin bearings as
necessary coupled with new/rebuilt heads will give you near new extended
performance for a very long time. The WBX case and crankshaft are hell
for stout and hold up well over time if not abused. It's been done many
times.
Just my $0.02!
John
On 4/14/2014 8:59 PM, Don Hanson wrote:
> Jeff since you have the parts for an inline install, I'd say quit
> messing with the WBX and just do the inline. If you use the 1.8 lite
> motor with Digifant engine management you don't have to mess with much at
> all...Everything is pretty much the same between those inlines and the WBX.
> You can probably find one for about $200...and then you won't have these
> ongoing issues with leaks and stuff. I got my van with a 92 rabbit/jetta
> 1.8 liter motor and was happy with that ...probably the same HP as the WBX
> motor and no leaky....
> After a couple of years when I found a good deal on an ABA. ($300
> complete) I kept the head and Digifant and bolted that onto the ABA 2.0
> liter block. Many say this hybrid motor is just as good as an ABA
> complete...I don't know about that but it works great and it's dead-nuts
> simple...I don't need the ABA OBD stuff, nor did I want to mess with
> swapping all the electronics and building a bump to clear the manifold...
> Took me about 3/4 of one day to swap that motor into my van rather than
> the 1.8...It is more powerful than the 1.8...
>
> You said you thought you'd done everything just right and very carefully
> and you still leak now..Why take the chance that that same scenario won't
> replay next time? Get a Rabbit and stuff that in there with your already
> in hand diesel parts....
>
| 
