Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 16:08:29 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: WBX Recommendations Sought
In-Reply-To: <538659E2.7000002@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
First, if the heads are not leaking get it started (you'll need to sort out
why it's not running anyway.
Drive it around for a while, and check the compression and if it's low, do a
leak down test. Check the oil pressure and then decide what to do (it's a
good time to install that gauge!).
If it appears to be serviceable, change the oil to 15w-50 synthetic and run
it for 2000 miles and do an oil analysis. Then you'll really know what's
going on with this engine.
My experience is that the bottom end is not bulletproof. I threw a rod in a
used 2.1 with 140k, and my '85 has 145k and the oil pressure is at the lower
wear limit. The 2.1s are more prone to catastrophic failure however due to
their increased output.
You are talking about doing 80% of a full rebuild (btw, you can't do the rod
small ends without removing them, and the rods should be resized on the
lower end as well). It wouldn't make sense to not do the rest IMHO, but you
may not need to do anything at all. If you do only the top end, that
higher compression will put an increased strain on the worn lower end and
shorten it's remaining life.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
JRodgers
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 2:49 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: WBX Recommendations Sought
A few years ago, I acquired a '91 carat that had sat in a garage for
near 10 years. 3-1/2 years ago I got it running and it was sweet - BUT
- I couldn't drive it because the tranny was toast. So it just sat. I
would run it once in a while - the one day it just wouldn't start. I put
it back in storage where it sat without running for three years until
now. The tranny rebuild will be done soon BUT - after considering that
the engine has 119,000 miles on it - and operated in who knows what kind
of manner - and given that I plan a looooong trip cross country in it
after it's put back on the road - I'm wondering if it wouldn't be
prudent to just go ahead and have a complete top end overhaul from the
get go. Heads, valves, cylinder barrels, rings, maybe even rod end
bearings, oil pump and water pump. I know the lower end of these engines
are tough, and I figure that the lower end would be just fine with a top
overhaul.
Opinions and recommendations from our WBX Gurus are much solicited.
Thanks,
John Rodgers
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