Date: Tue, 3 May 2016 00:54:26 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: User Input: Oval's Motorsport Rebuilt Engines
In-Reply-To: <CAH32RNaD9pW+KBu8xEvCLjNDUm0byc_ZO_+YyFh4rinMN-Hs3g@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Many of the piston/cylinder sets are notorious for bad rings. The 96mm big bore sets often have the wrong rings on them, 94mm rings on 96mm cylinders. Huge ring gaps until the rings snap.
For all the money often spent on rebuilds I find the water boxer responds very well to just replacing the parts broken or worn. Heads, rings, gaskets etc. If the case is shot then shot it is. I have repaired many an engine by doing just one cylinder/piston. Quality rings is the key and when folks are willing going for the "total seal" gapless 2nd ring makes a huge difference in reducing blow by.
When replacing the piston cylinder sets I often throw the rings away and replace with something better. When possible I try to get the COFAP sets. They have yet to let me down. As for displacement upgrades the thought of thinner cylinder walls added to increased compression ratio and to the extreme longer stroke crank just adds to reduced engine life and possibly NOx emissions issues.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Loren Busch
Sent: Monday, May 2, 2016 10:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: User Input: Oval's Motorsport Rebuilt Engines
RE: NW Connecting Rod Rebuilds
Jerry does a 2.2 and a 2.3L in addition to stock 2.1L rebuilds. Although NWCR has a stellar reputation a close friend is have to replace her 2.1L NWCR rebuild at just 50k miles, serious problems with it. Installed by Northwesty just a couple of years ago. Zero compression on #1 and sucking a quart of oil per tank of gas. So Jerry's engines are not bullet proof.
And her situation is disappointing. She has had a lot of running problems in the last couple of years and Northwesty was never able to get that engine in tune so don't know if the problem is the initial rebuild or that the whole system was not set up right. And about three years ago another friend had NWCR go through her GoWesty 2.2L and when it was back in zero compression on #3! Jerry made it right but disappointing with their reputation for good work. Even my 2.3L had to be pulled after install to correct a leaking seal. Jerry stood by that and reimbursed my shop for that extra work.
