Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 16:36:56 -0500
Reply-To: "Cook, Thomas" <tcook@ROVERS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Cook, Thomas" <tcook@ROVERS.COM>
Subject: Diesel replacement - Please Help
Content-Type: text/plain
Hi-
I am trying to replace my blown diesel engine with a factory new 1.9 that I
bought new from a prominent member on the mailing list. I do not want this
thread to deteriorate into a bash of online vendors so I will not name him
but I am sure that he will read this and then he can make his identity known
if he so wishes... in any case-
I purchased what I was told was a 1.9L NA diesel longblock with the head set
up to accept the 1.6l intake and an installation kit including various
things making the engine work with a vanagon installation. This was
supposed to be a so called bolt-up job. Of course this is where the
nightmare begins.
After the engine arrived without anything other than the block my mechanic
called VW to order various gaskets etc that would be required for the engine
installation and was told by his parts person (I believe VWoA but I am not
certain of this) that according to the ID number cast onto the block I have
a TD block instead of a NA block... great if I want to turn my beast into a
turbo but not so good if all I want is a running van. After talking with
the vendor and others I was told that there should be a polished area on the
block just below where it meets the head with another ID number stamped on
but neither the mechanics nor myself were able to locate this second number.
This is my first question to the group... what are the problems with running
a turbo engine without the turbo? I have been told things ranging from:
'sure the compression is a little lower in the turbo block (something about
concave cylinder tops instead of the convex tops in the NA's?) but you won't
be able to tell the difference'
to
'there is no way that thing will ever run at all, and if by some chance you
get it to run you will be smoking like a (insert colorful simile here)'.
Any comments?
My second dilemma is that even if list consensus is that running the TD
block without the turbo is not a problem there appear to be all kinds of
problems aligning the fuel pump bracket and belt covers to the block and
head because the bolt holes for these brackets do not appear to allow proper
fitting of the fuel pump. Specifically, the fuel pump at its full
adjustment is still approximately 3/4 inch away from the injector lines
(even if they were able to connect the lines with the pump all the way to
one end of the adjustment I am told that timing the engine properly would be
impossible?).
If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. My wife is convinced we
should just walk away but I have too much invested (both $ and emotionally)
to take her advice.
Thanks-
Thomas J. Cook
PS- please no 'you should have switched to a gas engine ...', I like my
diesel... I just like it better when it runs.
Thomas J. Cook
Information Technology Services
Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Inc.
Tel: 716-297-6150
Fax: 716-297-2265
email: tcook@rovers.com
web: http://www.rovers.com