2.1 take 2

[MarkWard]

Assemble the engine with the best parts you have on hand and get the experience for when you have time and money to build something more reliable. Engine building is not something you can just read about. There is a feel, that you need to acquire. Your assembled engine should get you down the road for a while. Short cuts don't translate into extended success.
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[Jake de Villiers]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I would pull the jugs and rods while you're in there. Check the rod bearings and bolts, and then run a hone through the cyls. Those heads look fine, but I'd probably pop the valves out and hand lap them for good measure.
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Casey--

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

[aplusbisme]

Can’t find anything on samba about removing the valves and lapping. I’m at work so I haven’t looked in the Bentley yet. Hopefully there’s some info in there??? Saw some YouTube videos on lapping valves, reckon it’s all the same and specific to a Vanagon? Thanks for the recommendations. Still cleaning, cleaning, cleaning

[aplusbisme]

Is this clean enough? If not how to clean up better around valves? No pitting where o ring meets jug. If I don’t pull the jugs should I clean them at all? Specifically the outermost 1/4” where there is some carbon build up. Thanks

[Zeitgeist 13]

Hand lapping valves is a universal task, so just look for a generic YT vid. I guess I think of it as similar to honing the cylinders to take the glaze off. Pulling the valves also lets you examine the condition of the guides.
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Casey--

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

[aplusbisme]

Cool. I’ll see if I can borrow valve spring compressor and start today. Thanks

[aplusbisme]

Got some valves out. How do I check the valve guides or do I need the tool in the Bentley? Brought it to my motorcycle engine buddy and he thought it was good. What to check?

[Zeitgeist 13]

You put the valve into the guide most of the way and then rock it side to side. This should let you know if the guides are excessively worn. If you have a micrometer, you can also check the wear on the valve stems. Those two valve seats look pretty good to me, though the margins on the intake don't appear to be uniform around the seat.
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Casey--

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

[mikemtnbike]

OP, these are, like, just my opinions, man.

If I was in your shoes, I’d put that engine back together with a new gasket kit, and run it. So long as your compression and oil pressure #’s aren’t awful, drive it and save your money up.

By my math, the time vs money vs performance gains are off on doing a stock rebuild myself. Your math, of course, may be different.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[aplusbisme]

That’s where I’m leaning but I figure no harm in cleaning it up while I’m in there. Thanks for the input!