Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2020 14:53:55 -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: <SN6PR10MB2894C20A5DC20411BA23813DA0C60@SN6PR10MB2894.namprd10.prod.outlook.com>
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Exactly Dennis,
The assessment, of the engine candidate and the rest of the van.
I suppose on the plus side of the Subie rebuild and any machining there are probably more options than for the wbx. More parts, maybe more in town options for any case work. On the downside it means harness, plate , and mounts. The two of the last three I can do myself, the plate... well if I had a drawing I certainly have the material and ability to machine one.
I have this dreamy idea, of getting either engine as a good long block and the rest I can do myself.
Was, is a running car, but 322k km. I bet as is, it would last for a time. Didn’t have a hard life.
Yes I am frugal, and reluctant to shell out the real money as others do, I mean a turn key package.
Maybe if I up my machining game and get a good pallet system working on my machines I can make more money per part. I mostly work by piece, faster I go, better hourly.
:-)
Ab
> On Apr 2, 2020, at 2:24 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> No offense taken. Part of my point is that the "assessment" is the most important part. Do you need a replacement engine or what level of repair or refurbishment will get you going. Most of my customers are not do it yourself and they are very cost conscious. Many drive old beasts out of perceived necessity or thinking they are cheaper to keep than getting something new. As such most of the time the choice is to repair-replace like kind maybe with some minor upgrades. At the shop level once an engine upgrade is thrown in you are really looking at a major down payment of most any new vehicle you may want. Then add what else is needed since the engine failure was most likely caused by something else or the gearing change!
>
> As for rebuilding the Subie the same stuff applies. They may also need align boring, the cylinders are parent bore so any wear there means re fitting pistons, re surfacing the deck, heads, etc. If it just needs some parts did it even need an overhaul? How long would it last if you just used it as is? It came out of a running car?
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alistair Bell [mailto:albell@shaw.ca]
> Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2020 2:49 PM
> To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: New engine, was Re: Ecu fix addendum
>
> 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%2Ftin
>>> y
>>> url.com%2Fyap5hpwt&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2413194f80e148f502db08d7d65f
>>> e
>>> 1b1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637213579599082831&a
>>> m
>>> p;sdata=9BxkYIaVXVkGjU86u7nQ8mBItYHa1Swl5BbM%2FZwm%2F1M%3D&reserv
>>> e
>>> d=0
>>>
>>> 1981 Westy 15º ABA swap:
>>> https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftin
>>> y
>>> url.com%2Fy9n4xob8&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2413194f80e148f502db08d7d65f
>>> e
>>> 1b1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637213579599082831&a
>>> m
>>> p;sdata=ZzDacVZuPSwdTvZm0jXOIJ4shDMNbe1m1KCFEwNKuLc%3D&reserved=0
>>>
>>> VAG Gas Engine Swap Group
>>> <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftin
>>> y
>>> url.com%2Fkhalbay&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2413194f80e148f502db08d7d65fe
>>> 1
>>> b1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637213579599082831&am
>>> p
>>> ;sdata=pUrZwRtwJIkMfjRI35cF2FD%2BYZlqIoRq0zvDnRZAkTE%3D&reserved=
>>> 0
>>>>
>
| 
