TheSamba.com :: View topic - Question About VW Exchange/ Re-manufactured Cases

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:09 pm

Hi yall. I just happened to be browing the VIN numbers section on the technical tab, and happened to notice the info about the exchange case and realized i have a case with an "X" and sure enough the case had the exchange symbol. here is a pic of it:

I also happened to notice that when i was looking at the case, it was the only thing in the shed that was not covered in oil. its perfectly clean. So here is my question. How good are these cases? Are they known to have problems, or at not lasting long? are they knwn to be as crappy as a GEX motor, or EMPI shit? It is a dual relief with case savers. Was this case most likely linebored, and if so how can i tell if it was? Is there supposed to be a .010 or something, stamped somewhere? thanks in advance

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:11 pm

Clean it up and use it. To see if it is or has been lined bored that will require measuring the bearing saddles.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:24 pm

In the interest of fairness BugMan, and to give you another point of view on this, VW designed the engine case as a non-rebuildable item. Use it once and throw it away. The VW engineers determined this for a reason. Obviously there are plenty of people who have built motors with used cases and have had good results but, if you have the money, it's best to start with a new foundation thats never been overheated or abused or machined. Just something to think about. My 2 cents. :D

Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:22 pm

This is just like any other case, have it checked out by a VW machine shop and as long as everything is ok, don't even think twice about using it. Even with a bunch of machine work, it's still less expensive than buying a new case for $500+

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:18 pm

VW used to re-manufacture engines in Canada (and other countries). I ordered one of their "AES code" re-built shortblocks back in the '70's (this was an AE engine that was sold as a VW Canada shortblock...they added the "S" to the engine code to indicate that it was re-built).

It was an excellent engine and lasted for many years until I sold the Beetle:

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:35 am

ditto. it is usually false economy to reuse an old case. very few shops can properly line bore. bite the bullet and spring for a new case. imho

Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:24 am

I bought a remanufactured 1.9L waterboxer long block for my Westy from a guy who said that he had purchased a lot of inventory from a VW North America plant in Canada that had recently closed.

When the engine arrived, I was amazed. It looked brand new. Every stud, every nut and bolt, the case, everything looked new, not re-built but truly remanufactured. It has been running perfectly for about 5K miles.

Does anyone know more about the background of this plant?