Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2020 11:48:52 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: New engine, was Re: Ecu fix addendum
In-Reply-To: <SN6PR10MB28948FDBA47F7749F98B8B22A0C90@SN6PR10MB2894.namprd10.prod.outlook.com>
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Dennis,
Not arguing with what you wrote, but I wasn’t talking about rebuilding the wbx that’s in my van now. I have a spare block on the bench. It’s the assessment of that engine that daunts me.
I think if there is any doubt about the wbx engine and it needs some expensive work ( even if bottome end ok, if it needs jugs and pistons and it does need heads) it seems more sensible to rebuild the legacy 2.2 and go that route
Alistair
> On Apr 1, 2020, at 3:13 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> From experience rarely will a Waterboxer oil pressure problem be resolved with a simple rebuild. Bearing wear is not the usual problem. I have seen bad pumps and some new ones so far out they can make things worse, even the oversized ones. Often the real problem is temperature control. Some diagnostics is needed. If the case is worn though the rebuild will need to include having the case align bored. At that point a high quality exchange engine may make sense.
>
> From the engine control point of view I have become quite familiar with the GoWesty EFI. Eric's van will be getting the 5th system I've installed. I'm finishing a GW 2.7 now and the others have gone on 2.3's. I've seen the 2.3L running the original Digifant and then changed to the GW EFI. The difference has surprised me.
>
> Yes this is awfully expensive made worse by paying for the installation but it is nice to all new stuff with most parts readily available.
>
> Over the years I've become well practiced doing just top end services with the engine even in place. I'm still considering a set of heads and rings on Fun Bus. The heads have visible hairline cracks on the outside and one of the exhaust ports is sealed with furnace cement. The rings have lost compression after the ECU filled the engine with gas some 2 years ago. Still it runs well and leaks more oil than it burns. Oil pressure still good even at 354K.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Alistair Bell
> Sent: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 1:12 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: New engine, was Re: Ecu fix addendum
>
> Hi Neil,
>
> I’m scared of rebuilding engine. Yes, I am. My initial desire was an in-line 2.0 ABA motronic. I have the old 1.8 that did so well in my 82 van. Have the diesel bell housing and carrier bars and pan etc.
>
> Also have. 2.0 ABA block and head that might be rebuildable.
>
> And I have a spare 2.1 block, with heads that have inter valve cracks.
>
> And I have a 2.2 legacy in driveway.
>
> The Syncro makes some difficulty with inline four. Either find a diesel fuel tank or buy a conversion adapter plate.
>
> The spare wbx attracts me more than I would have imagined. But I need handholding for the assessment of the pistons and jugs, and the bottom end (I should split case right?) plus I need new heads. And I’m less than enamoured with the wbx digifant intake.
>
> I dither and I procrastinate.
>
> Alistair
>
>> On Apr 1, 2020, at 9:58 AM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Alistair.
>>
>> A fellow with your skills would have no problem rebuilding or at least
>> refreshing your given engine of choice. As pretty much a newb
>> rebuilder, I debated rebuilding my WBX 2.1 but, presumably, found
>> rebuilding my inline 4 as likely much easier. I sold the WBX as a core
>> for $500 CAD. No regrets other than the extra WBX parts I need to
>> sell!
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>>>> On 4/1/20, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>
>>> For years I’ve been saying to myself that this year I’m putting in a
>>> new engine.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Neil n
>>
>> VE7TBN
>>
>> 1988 Westy 50º ABA swap:
>> https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftiny
>> url.com%2Fyap5hpwt&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2413194f80e148f502db08d7d65fe
>> 1b1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637213579599082831&am
>> p;sdata=9BxkYIaVXVkGjU86u7nQ8mBItYHa1Swl5BbM%2FZwm%2F1M%3D&reserve
>> d=0
>>
>> 1981 Westy 15º ABA swap:
>> https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftiny
>> url.com%2Fy9n4xob8&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2413194f80e148f502db08d7d65fe
>> 1b1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637213579599082831&am
>> p;sdata=ZzDacVZuPSwdTvZm0jXOIJ4shDMNbe1m1KCFEwNKuLc%3D&reserved=0
>>
>> VAG Gas Engine Swap Group
>> <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftiny
>> url.com%2Fkhalbay&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2413194f80e148f502db08d7d65fe1
>> b1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637213579599082831&
>> ;sdata=pUrZwRtwJIkMfjRI35cF2FD%2BYZlqIoRq0zvDnRZAkTE%3D&reserved=0
>>>
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