FAS Engine Conversion

[mustard675]

[khughes]

[Pinknoser]

Chris & Jon were great! drove my 87 westy up before Thanksgiving for Gen V Install & flew back to Florida & flew back up this spring for P/U & drove it back. It is a great design, well thought out & i've had them all. Jetta in 81 diesel Westy & Tiico which caught fire unfortunately in another 87. Went with eurovan camper too until tranny problems.
Recently had shocks installed in the 87 and mechanic pointed out the block was rusting, even on top. Was told it was "flash rust" as it had come back in winter weather from the NE 1/2 way back it went through a carwash with underside option & hosed off underside at home. Chris was professional and Jon once involved well not so much. I'm wondering about the block as well as professional others. What is wrong here? Jon requested pictures which once sent are described as "blurry".
Unfortunate that I feel I'm getting the run around. For the money spent it shouldn't be like this. It's the core of the whole package. You'd think it would be painted/coated something. It runs great but what happens a year or two from now? I'm perplexed. Went from estatic to very confused. Any advice I'll surely listen to. Thanks....Mark

[Zeitgeist 13]

Is this surface rust? If so, I assume you've got better things to worry about. Cast iron blocks all rust...all of them.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[oceanair]

My Golf block looks like that too -- all rusted -- looks terrible, but it's normal and doesn't cause problems.
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84 Vanagon Pop Top Conversion from Tin Top, 1970 Ghia - all sweet rides! Love em!
Previous: Green 72 Tin Top, White 72 Westy, Blue 64 Beetle, Yellow 71 Squareback, 2014 Jetta TDI Wagon - wish I could have them all back!

[oceanair]

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=268304
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84 Vanagon Pop Top Conversion from Tin Top, 1970 Ghia - all sweet rides! Love em!
Previous: Green 72 Tin Top, White 72 Westy, Blue 64 Beetle, Yellow 71 Squareback, 2014 Jetta TDI Wagon - wish I could have them all back!

[Pinknoser]

Being a plumber/pipefitter/boiler operator I'm aware of different dissimilar metals etc. and reactions. Basically having a brand new long block (VW Golf) engine show this kind of rust, in so short a time just doesn't seem OK with me.
If a dealer installs an engine and it looks like mine does in a short time frame I would think they'd hear about it from the customer or their mechanic.
Chose not to use anything on it until good pictures could be taken. WD 40 had been suggested as well as other products, of which there are many.
I'm considering using CRC heavy duty corrosion inhibitor/Marine grade on the areas I can get to, but what about the areas where you can't?
Thanks for the feedback and appreciate the comments. Just want to move forward with this in the right way considering the money that was spent.

[mellowslow]

FAS conversion since 2013 here with a factory fresh (at the time) AEG long block. I bought a crate engine from Cascade German in Oregon and utilized the whole FAS kit back when they sold kit parts without engines. My block started showing surface rust right away and might have already had a few spots on it when I opened the crate. Never thought much of it other than it's sort of the factory look. No rust progression and no problems with this conversion 6 years/40K miles in. I disassembled a 200K+ mile/13 year old engine (from Maine) for parts on my conversion and amazingly every bolt and stud backed right out. Maybe a professional detailer could set you up with product to stave off surface rust on the bare casting block or check with the water pumper car show guys and see what they are doing.
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'87 WBWE FAS Gen V

[MarkWard]

I’d have to see a picture. I imagine FAS is sourcing these crate engines from a supplier. I don’t think they’d be responsible for the paint finish on the block. When I rebuild an engine, the block is steam cleaned and I tape it off and rattle can some engine block paint. I’ve never worried about how the paint holds up. My attention is to the internals.
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[akyrie]

I keep thinking, "huh,Pinknoser has no oil leaks." You should be happy about that. Or, you could make an oil leak, that would keep your block from rusting, and make you fit in with the VW herd of Yore.

I also see that you live in Florida, constant salt from the ocean. This will cause rust anywhere.

I just had a harness made by FAS and they have been great so far. No questions left unanswered. Polite and all that to boot.
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Although I got a funny message from the Porsche guys, it read, "what a mighty ship that you must sail"
....has anyone else received that?

82 AHU DK, 1950's Puch-black

[Zeitgeist 13]

I'm not sure it's wise to burn through the supply of goodwill with the vendor based upon something frivolous like this, when there may be something more substantive cropping up at some time in the future which requires their attention. This just isn't worth the time and effort to resolve.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[danfromsyr]

the car wash will NOT get the brine/salt mix from a north east road off the motor block before it has/had an impact on the cast iron.

the motor will still take years of full season driving to come close to compromising anything except asthetics.

even a new motor isn't really 'prepped' for paint. it's just flash painted over the raw cast iron, they all will flash rust thru the thin top coat used.

if you wanted a shiny and detailed paint to last job that would cost much more extra time and $$.
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[Pinknoser]

Dan from Syracuse & akyrie I grew up in Philly & know as you do all about rust with many vehicles.
zeitgeist 13, maybe the block being the core of the design should get greater attention for the exposed unpainted surfaces/adapter plate areas than they have. Not frivolous $ wise but have been accused of being "passive/aggressive" by Jon. Great design & ideas but not an expert in that area. Uncalled for. Anyone who knows really knows me will attest to that!
Mark you are probably spot on, my mechanic said they are buying raw blocks.
Thanks Mellowslow I agree on most of your points on this and sure you know how I feel.
Don't wish to burn any bridges guys which is why being their design took it to them for the install.
Thanks again.

[khughes]

[Pinknoser]

Khughes, thanks for the input. I intend to document with more pictures all the areas before taking any action addressing the rust issue.

[MarkWard]

I thought I was anal. For reference, here is a South American VW crate engine after a some miles on it.

Again, I'd have to see pictures of your rust bucket engine, but I think you are obsessing over the wrong things. Time to close the engine cover and start enjoying your conversion.

We recently had a house renovated. Job was too big for us to do ourselves. We've been living there a few months now. I still can point out all of the less than perfect stuff, but I just don't look at it anymore. I enjoy the house a lot more when I don't obsess over the things that could have been done better. Its just a house. In your case, it's just an engine. Enjoy.
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[Pinknoser]

Wish I could Mark, small digital camera prints which I sent to FAS because of laptop issues. Which they dissed as being (blurry) not! I intend to post eventually need to take some more from the passenger side. Your block looks fantastic compared to mine. Good luck with the home.