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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4615
Location: United States, Iowa
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 Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 11:52 am Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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I guess I need clarification on what you mentioned earlier; it went something like this -- x number of miles since it was rebuilt into a 2.2.
So, in my way of thinking, that means it was already rebuilt (at least once, if not more times?), hopefully a full rebuild, down to the main bearings. In that case, what you are looking at, if you want that engine rebuilt again, is going to be much more costly than an initial rebuild would be, since all of it will need to be fully spec'd, and then proper machining, and then locating sets of bearings. Simply put, you may actually find out that you are out of options with bearing sets, since there are limits on what can be found and made to work. Sometimes it is impossible to find even the simplest sets, like one would need on a first line bore, let alone a second. Then the crank... well, you grind the crank once, it could be that you find both the case mains that are for that line bore AND crank grind, but then there are variations of available parts and you just can't get there from here. Personally, I can't imaging how I would feel if I took my engine to someone, who then put in all the work to get it to the point of the teardown necessary to just take measurements, and get told, sorry, no parts will work, here's the bill, and it is $2000 so far... will that be cash or check?
Get looking for a spare, you can change out an engine on your own, it's really not that hard. The main point being this -- you want to have the most seat time possible, life is short! Help from a buddy always makes things go better, if you have a slightly mechanically inclined neighbor or friend. The last time I was in on a replacement helping a friend, the most time consuming part was labeling, bagging and tagging wires, nuts and bolts. The actual drop/swap/reinstall was just a few hours. I hope to help again soon!! Biggest mistake I know of is trying to drop just the engine. If you are going to replace your engine, just take the transaxle down together with it, since it is only a few more bolts anyway. That makes mating the transaxle and engine MUCH more easy than trying to do it with the trans left in the bus.
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Jason Rolfe
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Olympia,Wa
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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I'll clarify the best I can, it's been about 110,000 miles since a 2.2L waterboxer was installed by Wolfsberg in 2011.
I don't know/remember all the details of that rebuilt engine, aside from knowing that the guy who did the engine was always highly praised for his work. I was only a couple years into my ownership of the van at that point. I still have the invoice for that job, but it only mentions the rebuilt engine, no details of the actual rebuild.
I don't know/remember whether it was the original engine from the van that was rebuilt, but I think it was because the work took some time--it wasn't a quick swap at the shop. In any case, that original engine was a 2.1. Maybe I have some engine numbers from that 2.1 written down somewhere that I can try to match to the current engine.
But yeah, I can swap an engine. If I could find a good one I'd consider going that route. I've pulled this one a couple of times for various things. I've actually done just about all the work on this van since that engine rebuild. One thing I've never done is go into a more involved rebuild, but it's something I'd like to do/learn.
I guess what I imagined was pulling the engine, getting a good look at things, and if it seems possible rebuilding with a 2.2 rebuild kit? I know that's no simple matter, but I've got friends with extensive engine wrenching and machining experience that I could rely on for help.
With that said, I'll admit I'm not completely clear on the process for doing an engine rebuild. That is: can you rebuild a 2.2 with something like a GW 2.2 rebuild kit? Or do you have to go to 2.3 by necessity? |
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 10987
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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Jason, If you feel a replacements engine is warranted.
I suggest reaching out to Xevin here and asking him how well his 85 with a refreshed WBX engine is working out for him.
He bought the replacement engine and Robbie installed it in, I think November/December.
There is a local quality engine builder here in NW Oregon that usually has a WBX waiting in the wings at his shop ready to go.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!  |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 4512
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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| Jason Rolfe wrote: |
Yeah, 2500 miles/6 quarts=less than ideal.
I guess my next question would be: should I even bother going through with compression and leak down tests, and oil pressure check with a different gauge?
Or should I just pull the engine and get a closer look at things, since it would appear the engine probably needs to come out anyway?
Put another way--is there any chance that further testing will reveal a simpler fix/solution? |
Pull the plugs, note if one cyl seems to be the oil burner, or are they all crusty with oil/ash.
You can then do the Compression Check and Leakdown test if you want, but your Oil consumption and pressure readings mean you're already in the market for some kind of action.
Rebuild, replace, engine swap, etc.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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Jason Rolfe
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Olympia,Wa
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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| 67rustavenger wrote: |
Jason, If you feel a replacements engine is warranted.
I suggest reaching out to Xevin here and asking him how well his 85 with a refreshed WBX engine is working out for him.
He bought the replacement engine and Robbie installed it in, I think November/December.
There is a local quality engine builder here in NW Oregon that usually has a WBX waiting in the wings at his shop ready to go. |
Thanks for the tip! Much appreciated. |
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Jason Rolfe
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Olympia,Wa
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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| jlrftype7 wrote: |
Pull the plugs, note if one cyl seems to be the oil burner, or are they all crusty with oil/ash.
You can then do the Compression Check and Leakdown test if you want, but your Oil consumption and pressure readings mean you're already in the market for some kind of action.
Rebuild, replace, engine swap, etc. |
For sure. One way or another, I'll be taking a good look at things just for the sake of gaining a better understanding of what to look for in a well-loved engine.
Thanks. |
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3713
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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| Jason Rolfe wrote: |
Another (disheartening) data point:
Looks like my oil consumption was even more drastic than I thought going back over my notes from the trip.
I did an oil change before our recent trip. Put 4 qts of 10w-60 in. (I'd been running 20w-50 for years but thought I'd try a different oil out to see if I noticed any difference in pressure, etc).
Road trip was about 2,500 miles. I put 4 quarts in over the course of the trip.
Just went out to recheck the oil, and it took 2 quarts to bring the level up to the bottom mark on the stick.
So that's 10 quarts in the last 2,500 miles. 
Oof. |
We have a case of operator error killing this motor. In a prior post you mentioned only filling to the lower dip stick mark, well that is the bare minimum mark, You mention she burns oil, or consumes oil. You mention the oil pressure drops low when cornering. When she drops when cornering, that is a sign that the oil level is too low, the little oil in there sloshes to a side away from the oil pick up tube in a corner, meanjng the oil pump is sucking air, your bearings now starved of oil.
So she consumes oil at a high rate, you only fill to the bare minimum of oil dip stick mark, she sucks air in cornering (and aint as if these Vans pull a lots of G forces in corners) Then she is two freaking quarts low, below the minimum oil level. If you know she consumes oil, you need to stop and check it, often.
You have killed it by not mainatining your oil. Buy a bicycle if you dont intend to maintain a car properly. Boggles my little mind. 
And yeah I am being harsh, no mercy. You need to change your habit on vehicle care. Maybe this will sink in, for your own good.
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.
Give Peace a Chance.
Words to live by. |
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Jason Rolfe
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Olympia,Wa
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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| zerotofifty wrote: |
We have a case of operator error killing this motor. In a prior post you mentioned only filling to the lower dip stick mark, well that is the bare minimum mark, You mention she burns oil, or consumes oil. You mention the oil pressure drops low when cornering. When she drops when cornering, that is a sign that the oil level is too low, the little oil in there sloshes to a side away from the oil pick up tube in a corner, meanjng the oil pump is sucking air, your bearings now starved of oil.
So she consumes oil at a high rate, you only fill to the bare minimum of oil dip stick mark, she sucks air in cornering (and aint as if these Vans pull a lots of G forces in corners) Then she is two freaking quarts low, below the minimum oil level. If you know she consumes oil, you need to stop and check it, often.
You have killed it by not mainatining your oil. Buy a bicycle if you dont intend to maintain a car properly. Boggles my little mind.
And yeah I am being harsh, no mercy. You need to change your habit on vehicle care. Maybe this will sink in, for your own good. |
What can I say, you caught me. I’m the idiotic, clueless, and careless Vanagon owner that haunts your nightmares, here to ruin the Samba for everyone. I really thought I might be able to slip in under the radar, but I guess nothing gets past your super-vigilant eyes.
In all seriousness, I spent most of the afternoon pondering whether I should even respond to your message, but in the end I think I might as well. I could probably private message you, but I’m going to post this here in case anyone else is wondering about my history with this van. You are making some pretty harsh assumptions about me and my work ethic based on a few posts about things I’ve been experiencing with my van, primarily related to a two-week trip I just got done with. I realize I don't have the post count that some of you old hands have on here; I guess it's a bit crazy to assume a bit of good faith and benefit of the doubt from everyone.
I’ll add a few more notes about my “habit on vehicle care” and maybe it’ll change your mind and you can offer some useful feedback from what I’m assuming is a pretty deep well of knowledge. You’ve been a member here for a long time. But I will say, I couldn’t care less. There are already (thankfully) plenty of people here who’ve given me some great, honest advice and insight. You do you.
When I got this van 16 years ago, I knew nothing about Westies. I started figuring things out quickly, including changing a coolant hose that burst on me soon after I bought it, laying in the street in front of my apartment in Seattle, with what I’m sure, at the time, was a woefully inadequate toolkit.
The van was my daily driver from the time I bought until about 2015 or 16, can’t remember exactly and I don’t want to go looking for the date I bought my truck. The bulk of those 110,000 miles since the engine swap were put on it during that period from 2011 to 16. In all that time (and up to the present) I’ve learned as I went, figuring things out, researching, reading, asking questions, and always measuring twice.
I’ve never (ever) missed a scheduled oil change or tune-up. I keep abreast of other wear items (brake pads, bearings, etc). The list of repairs, upgrades and replacements of old, worn parts I’ve done over the years is not small. Probably the only thing I haven’t touched in some way is everything inside the crankcase. (Though I’ll admit electrical stuff still feels like rocket science most of the time to me, and I am definitely not a rocket scientist.)
Regarding oil fill level: filling to around the lower mark is a recent change for me, based on advice I’ve seen here and elsewhere that filling it right to the top mark every time will just encourage more burn-off. Perhaps my wording was confusing, but on this trip I wasn’t stopping precisely at the lower mark, just not filling significantly above that point. Prior to the last year or two, I’d always fill it right up.
Regarding the light coming on in turns: that happened 2 or 3 times during this trip, and only on sharp turns (e.g. going around a roundabout or having to make a sudden lane change in traffic). It wasn’t happening every time I turned the wheel right or left. And it was never a prolonged dip or loss of oil pressure. The light would blip, the gauge would dip, and then the gauge would pop right back up to it’s normal (admittedly low) spot. I realize it was from oil sloshing to one side or another. Each time it happened I pulled over and added oil.
But it’s not like I was being frugal. As mentioned, I put 4 quarts of oil in the van during the trip—I was doing my best to keep up with it, but that was a significant change that honestly surprised me. The only reason it stood out as significant was the length of the trip and the fact that I was driving it daily in some cases for extended periods/distances. You’re right though, I probably should have stopped and checked more often. I’ve got no excuses there.
The last time I did a trip of this length was in 2017, right before my son was born. Our Van took me and my then-pregnant wife out to Colorado and back without a hitch. Since then, the van had primarily been stored in the garage for the winter (with maybe the occasional short fishing trip), pulled out in the spring and freshened up for the summer time with various service, repairs, upgrades, and then taken on short camping trips close to home over the past several years. For most of that time, the oil consumption was within the supposedly acceptable (to some at least) 1 qt/1000 miles or less. For at least the past 5 years or so we’ve put 3,000 miles or less on it per year. 2024 was just over 1000. 2023 was roughly 2,000. Which is all just to say that in the short trips I’ve been doing over the last several years, oil consumption was never to the level of this recent trip. And the low yearly mileage would have made it difficult to get a handle on anyway.
Anyway, have I been perfect? Nope. Have I made mistakes? Assuredly. I would never claim otherwise. I’ve had plenty of missteps over the past 16 years as I’ve learned to live with and understand this van. I’ve also had plenty of successes that I’m really proud of. The degree of oil consumption on this last trip kind of blindsided me, to be honest, and I did what I could do, hundreds of miles from home and in (technically) a foreign country, often far from civilization. I feel happy (and very lucky) that I got my family home in one piece, without having to involve a tow truck.
(And let’s be clear—the engine hasn’t been killed yet. The whole reason I’m here haranguing the Samba hive mind is that I’d like to avoid that, and hopefully give the majority of this engine a chance to continue doing what it was meant to do.)
In any case, to suggest I need to change my “habit on vehicle care,” as you so succinctly put it, takes it a bit far, and I find it insulting. But don’t worry, I’ve got a couple bicycles if this whole Vanagon thing doesn’t work out for me after all. It just might take another 16 years for that to properly sink in.
Yours in imperfection,
Jason Rolfe |
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3713
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 8:59 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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| Jason Rolfe wrote: |
| zerotofifty wrote: |
We have a case of operator error killing this motor. In a prior post you mentioned only filling to the lower dip stick mark, well that is the bare minimum mark, You mention she burns oil, or consumes oil. You mention the oil pressure drops low when cornering. When she drops when cornering, that is a sign that the oil level is too low, the little oil in there sloshes to a side away from the oil pick up tube in a corner, meanjng the oil pump is sucking air, your bearings now starved of oil.
So she consumes oil at a high rate, you only fill to the bare minimum of oil dip stick mark, she sucks air in cornering (and aint as if these Vans pull a lots of G forces in corners) Then she is two freaking quarts low, below the minimum oil level. If you know she consumes oil, you need to stop and check it, often.
You have killed it by not mainatining your oil. Buy a bicycle if you dont intend to maintain a car properly. Boggles my little mind.
And yeah I am being harsh, no mercy. You need to change your habit on vehicle care. Maybe this will sink in, for your own good. |
What can I say, you caught me. I’m the idiotic, clueless, and careless Vanagon owner that haunts your nightmares, here to ruin the Samba for everyone. I really thought I might be able to slip in under the radar, but I guess nothing gets past your super-vigilant eyes.
In all seriousness, I spent most of the afternoon pondering whether I should even respond to your message, but in the end I think I might as well. I could probably private message you, but I’m going to post this here in case anyone else is wondering about my history with this van. You are making some pretty harsh assumptions about me and my work ethic based on a few posts about things I’ve been experiencing with my van, primarily related to a two-week trip I just got done with. I realize I don't have the post count that some of you old hands have on here; I guess it's a bit crazy to assume a bit of good faith and benefit of the doubt from everyone.
I’ll add a few more notes about my “habit on vehicle care” and maybe it’ll change your mind and you can offer some useful feedback from what I’m assuming is a pretty deep well of knowledge. You’ve been a member here for a long time. But I will say, I couldn’t care less. There are already (thankfully) plenty of people here who’ve given me some great, honest advice and insight. You do you.
When I got this van 16 years ago, I knew nothing about Westies. I started figuring things out quickly, including changing a coolant hose that burst on me soon after I bought it, laying in the street in front of my apartment in Seattle, with what I’m sure, at the time, was a woefully inadequate toolkit.
The van was my daily driver from the time I bought until about 2015 or 16, can’t remember exactly and I don’t want to go looking for the date I bought my truck. The bulk of those 110,000 miles since the engine swap were put on it during that period from 2011 to 16. In all that time (and up to the present) I’ve learned as I went, figuring things out, researching, reading, asking questions, and always measuring twice.
I’ve never (ever) missed a scheduled oil change or tune-up. I keep abreast of other wear items (brake pads, bearings, etc). The list of repairs, upgrades and replacements of old, worn parts I’ve done over the years is not small. Probably the only thing I haven’t touched in some way is everything inside the crankcase. (Though I’ll admit electrical stuff still feels like rocket science most of the time to me, and I am definitely not a rocket scientist.)
Regarding oil fill level: filling to around the lower mark is a recent change for me, based on advice I’ve seen here and elsewhere that filling it right to the top mark every time will just encourage more burn-off. Perhaps my wording was confusing, but on this trip I wasn’t stopping precisely at the lower mark, just not filling significantly above that point. Prior to the last year or two, I’d always fill it right up.
Regarding the light coming on in turns: that happened 2 or 3 times during this trip, and only on sharp turns (e.g. going around a roundabout or having to make a sudden lane change in traffic). It wasn’t happening every time I turned the wheel right or left. And it was never a prolonged dip or loss of oil pressure. The light would blip, the gauge would dip, and then the gauge would pop right back up to it’s normal (admittedly low) spot. I realize it was from oil sloshing to one side or another. Each time it happened I pulled over and added oil.
But it’s not like I was being frugal. As mentioned, I put 4 quarts of oil in the van during the trip—I was doing my best to keep up with it, but that was a significant change that honestly surprised me. The only reason it stood out as significant was the length of the trip and the fact that I was driving it daily in some cases for extended periods/distances. You’re right though, I probably should have stopped and checked more often. I’ve got no excuses there.
The last time I did a trip of this length was in 2017, right before my son was born. Our Van took me and my then-pregnant wife out to Colorado and back without a hitch. Since then, the van had primarily been stored in the garage for the winter (with maybe the occasional short fishing trip), pulled out in the spring and freshened up for the summer time with various service, repairs, upgrades, and then taken on short camping trips close to home over the past several years. For most of that time, the oil consumption was within the supposedly acceptable (to some at least) 1 qt/1000 miles or less. For at least the past 5 years or so we’ve put 3,000 miles or less on it per year. 2024 was just over 1000. 2023 was roughly 2,000. Which is all just to say that in the short trips I’ve been doing over the last several years, oil consumption was never to the level of this recent trip. And the low yearly mileage would have made it difficult to get a handle on anyway.
Anyway, have I been perfect? Nope. Have I made mistakes? Assuredly. I would never claim otherwise. I’ve had plenty of missteps over the past 16 years as I’ve learned to live with and understand this van. I’ve also had plenty of successes that I’m really proud of. The degree of oil consumption on this last trip kind of blindsided me, to be honest, and I did what I could do, hundreds of miles from home and in (technically) a foreign country, often far from civilization. I feel happy (and very lucky) that I got my family home in one piece, without having to involve a tow truck.
(And let’s be clear—the engine hasn’t been killed yet. The whole reason I’m here haranguing the Samba hive mind is that I’d like to avoid that, and hopefully give the majority of this engine a chance to continue doing what it was meant to do.)
In any case, to suggest I need to change my “habit on vehicle care,” as you so succinctly put it, takes it a bit far, and I find it insulting. But don’t worry, I’ve got a couple bicycles if this whole Vanagon thing doesn’t work out for me after all. It just might take another 16 years for that to properly sink in.
Yours in imperfection,
Jason Rolfe |
Well,it appears you understand the point of my post, dont let the oil go low, never let it go so low as to have it drop out on the pressure gage when cornering. Dont be insulted by learning, nothing I wrote was designed to insult, rather to educate although in blunt terms.
Good luck with the reduild, and as others have indicated, it is now time for that rebuild, further driving risks an expensive failure, the motor is done
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.
Give Peace a Chance.
Words to live by. |
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Jason Rolfe
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Olympia,Wa
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 11:18 am Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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Still would be curious to hear people's thoughts on going through with some additional tests (compression, leak down, oil pressure with a different gauge)
vs.
just pulling the engine and investigating with engine out of vehicle.
My thinking: it seems the engine needs to come out of the van regardless. I can pull it, do a visual inspection and check all specs against the Bentley, etc.
Am I on the right track, or am I missing something? |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17126
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Jason Rolfe
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2013
Posts: 52
Location: Olympia,Wa
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 11:53 am Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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Yeah, that's kind of what I'm thinking. Doing any tests requires warming up the engine, which requires some drives around town. Not sure it's worth it.
Maybe better to just skip that and get down to the business of pulling it out and figuring out next steps (rebuild, swap, etc). |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4369
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 11:54 am Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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| Jason Rolfe wrote: |
Still would be curious to hear people's thoughts on going through with some additional tests (compression, leak down, oil pressure with a different gauge)
vs.
just pulling the engine and investigating with engine out of vehicle.
My thinking: it seems the engine needs to come out of the van regardless. I can pull it, do a visual inspection and check all specs against the Bentley, etc.
Am I on the right track, or am I missing something? |
I like to have as much as-is info before I can't get it ...Some of those things are not possible when the engine is out.
that as-is info can lead to paying attention on the rebuild - say you have low Cyl1 compression...look for signs of that - it may have you look at things that may otherwise get a cursory look rather than a detailed look
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2638
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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A rate of 1 quart every 250 miles 10 years ago was when we decided to bite the bullet and have a Subie EJ22 put in by Buslab.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3713
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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Given the oil below minimum oil pressure and that it ran out of oil, it is done, time for rebuild, hope the crank is regrindable, as running out of oil can score the crank deep, making it not salvageable.
Note If one is burning a lot of oil, one need to do frequent oil level checks and topping up to the full mark on the dip stick, rather than to the minimum mark. Dropping below minimum, then only filling to the minimum mark is a recipe for failure, as further burning of oil will bring level below minimum.
Time to pull it is past due. Get her fixed.
Good Luck.
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.
Give Peace a Chance.
Words to live by. |
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4615
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2025 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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Can anyone confirm that there are several lengths of dipsticks? I found two lengths between 4 of my 2.1 longblocks.
I think one thing to consider is when you fill after a oil change, adding the correct amount of oil, where on the dipstick is that level.
Just saying that there MIGHT be something we all forgot to say on that point.
-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4615
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2025 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: At what point do you consider an engine rebuild? |
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Never mind that anyway, as it has become clear you need a different engine.
As many have mentioned, either find a working pulled engine, and get back on your pony, or go with a transplant.
I like both of my Westy's with their original 2.1 WBX's, and I like my tintop with a EJ22 transplant. IMHO, the EJ22 kicks the WBX's I have to the curb.. Like night and day, really. Never thought I'd like 6K RPM so much... Wheeeeeee!
(Just take it easy on your transaxle, that much more output can ruin another part of your life)
-bob's your uncle.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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