Little Blue Truck gets a new engine - FAS 2.0 engine conversion

[Red Beard]

Steel coolant pipes if you haven't already done it.

I'll be really curious how you like the setup with the AT. I assume your transmission will have stock gearing for now?

I initially converted to the 2.0T but removed the turbo due to recurrent issues that disrupted reliability for me. I am now underpowered with the NA setup and the 3.27 R/p I did with the original conversion, but it sure runs nice!
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1990 Vanagon, FAS Gen V 2.0 NA, AT w/ Peloquin diff, NAHT conversion

[VicVan]

Hi Red Beard, yes I'll be leaving the automatic transmission stock. I don't like to change too many things at the same time. First, it's more expensive , second I like to differentiate between modifications, understand which mod has more impact. It gives me a better feel of the mechanics of the van. Third, it's easier to troubleshoot of something goes wrong.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[VicVan]

Good news: engine ships tomorrow.

If I raise the rear of the van on 8" ramps, I'll have approx. 24" of clearance at the rear. Is that enough?
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[VicVan]

Van is raised, I have 28-29" of clearance. Should be fine.

I gave in to your suggestions and ordered some stainless steel coolant lines from Werke1/GoWesty.

FAS folks: is the cooling tower retained in the FAS setup or do I remove it?

(Image credit GoWesty)
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[joetiger]

Every time this thread pops up, I find myself wandering over the the FAS site and doing irrational expenditure calculations in my head. I really REALLY wanted to use their MK3 mount setup on my engine but my supercharger won't fit at 50 degrees.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[bobbyblack]

[joetiger]

[Vanagon Nut]

[khughes]

[VicVan]

The answer I was hoping for. Cheers.

[Vanagon Nut]

You're welcome VicVan.

Yeah, that link is at the bottom of their home page. They used to have (still do?) a "beta" album of stuff that was really cool. To my mind, IIRC, it provided some insight into the manufacturing and/or design processes.

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[VicVan]

Almost done disconnecting the engine from the van.

A couple of questions :

1/ Will the large ECU connector (under the rear bench) fit through the hole in the firewall?
2/ How do you remove the accelerator cable (coming from the front) from the transmission (automatic)?

If I get these two sorted out tomorrow, I'm left with CV joints and I'll be ready to remove the engine+transmission on Sunday.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[Vanagon Nut]

[mikemtnbike]

I honestly can’t remember how to remove the cable, which generally means I followed the Bentley and/or YouTube.
Connector does not fit pretty sure. EDIT and look wrong again!

I’m with joetiger can’t wait for the rest of this thread, go FAS!
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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

[VicVan]

Thanks for the above tips. I had to unscrew the side panel of the bench to give me more wiggle room to remove the ECU connector.
As for throttle cable, removing the ball is a pain. I ended up removing the L-shaped lever from the transmission altogether, and will remove the ball from the socket on the bench.

Only thing left in the way are CV joints (and whatever I have forgotten of course). I'll be removing the engine today.

In the meantime, here's what I found in the coolant tank:

Amagnetic and real shiny, most likely aluminium. Water pump bearing/axle gave up a year ago on the highway, I believe that's when this happened.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[VicVan]

Engine is out! Feels good, and weird.

Shoutout to Alex and Wayne, who were not afraid by the near-freezing temperatures, and came to help. And second thanks to Wayne for lending me his engine hoist. It helped!

Don't know what to start next. Transmission/engine separation? Rust-proofing the engine compartment? Installing those stainless steel collant lines?
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[9.5isCanadian]

[valvecovergasket]

[Zeitgeist 13]

That gunk in your cooling system looks like the vestigial remnants of a stop leak product.
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Casey--

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

[VicVan]