Rabbit diesel Head gaskets

[mr white]

A good friend of mine wants to sell me his 1983 rabbit diesel. He states it needs a head gasket as the cooling system pressurizes. The car does not run hot or even smoke for that matter, fan works, thermostat opens, etc. So with that I see that there are a few different thicknesses of head gaskets available. I was hoping someone could enlighten me on the thickness needed or have a recommendation? Thank you!

[WestyPop]

Measure piston projection above block surface @ TDC. That number should tell your parts person which head gasket you need. Make certain the head surface & block deck are flat. Pressure test of the head is useful. Typical cost: $25-40.

And... get a Bentley shop manual for the Rabbit/Golf Mark 1; not the cheapest, but the best. Follow the directions re. prep, cleaning, re-timing, etc.
Not a hard job, just some important details to make things right.

Best wishes.
_________________
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
______________________________________
J.R.
68 Westy
(+ others)

[TDCTDI]

Count the notches on the current head gasket & replace it with the same.

The notches or holes are easily seen between the head & block at #3 cylinder, just under where the hoses go into the flange on the front of the head.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[sgnimj96]

...from the FAQ's @ vwdiesel.net, this helps because some webstores don't give part numbers (or they hide them), and some brands use their own numbers but it should cross-reference

Thanks go to fspGTD for retrieving this information:

1.6L (1.5L?)

1980 Rabbit 1.6D:
* 3-notch (1.4mm): 068 103 383 FB
* 4-notch (1.5mm): 068 103 383 FC
* 5-notch (1.6mm): 068 103 383 FD

1981 Rabbit 1.6lD 11mm headbolt:
* 1-notch (1.4mm): 068 103 383 ES
* 2-notch (1.5mm) 068 103 838 ET
* 3-notch (1.6mm): 068 103 383 FA

81-84 Rabbit/Jetta 1.6 solid lifter 12mm headbolt:
* 1-notch (1.4mm): 068 103 838 FL
* 2-notch (1.53mm) 068 103 383 FM
* 3 notch (1.61mm): 058 103 383 FN

1986 Jetta 1.6 hydraulic:
* 1-hole (1.53mm): 068 103 383 EH
* 2-hole (1.57mm): 068 103 383 EJ
* 3-hole (1.61mm): 068 103 383 EK

The 11mm headbolt Vanagon CS engine code did get a unique head gasket:
1980-85 Vanagon 1.6 11mm headbolt (up to CS 000 338):
* 1-notch (1.4mm): 068 103 383 AT
* 2-notch (1.5mm): 068 103 383 ET
* 3-notch (1.6mm): 068 103 383 FA

Engine code JX:
* 1-hole (1.53mm): 068 103 383 FE
* 2-hole (1.57mm): 068 103 383 FF
* 3-hole (1.61mm): 068 103 383 FG

1.9L

1 hole (1.53mm) 028 103 383BH
2 hole (1.57mm) 028 103 383BJ
3 hole (1.61mm) 028 103 383BK