Doing a rebuilt or not??

[SweetCars]

I just took off my 97 1600 FI engine out the car to change the oil seal behind the flywheel and change clutch.

The engine was running good. Great power.
But a little oil consumption which is from the valves guides because it is a little bit oily behind the intake valves. And the cylinder bases which leaks oil.
I got also one spark plug on cylinder 2 which flows up after 5-6000km. So maybe the tread of the head is damaged.
My hydraulic liters are clattering too much at cold. They are not DEAD yet but sometimes takes time to quiet.
And for last i got a very very small end play on the crank, i think 0.010". I didnt mesured it but it is really small.

Now! I got brand new original heads, brand new cylinder and piston, got new lifters and valves. Everythiing in box.

I already put a brand new TPS sensor.
Brand new Bosch IAC valve
Ordered brand new Bosch oxygen sensor.

Well to be short, i got eveything to build a brand new engine but i am kind o scared of opening the engine.

What do you think?? Is it better to open the engine to change the bearings as a prevention to not damage the case. Or should i run it till it gets real dead and then do a complet rebuilt?

[OLD VW NUT]

The .010" end play is a good indication that the bottom end may be in better shape than you might think. The lifters are more of a concern than the bearings IMO. What weight oil are you using? I'd use what VW recommended for that motor - many guys go for heavier oil but hydraulic lifters don't like heavy oil unless they are designed for it.

In opening the case you might find more work needs to be done - like line boring etc. Maybe you can get away with just splitting the case and replace the cam (and cam bearings) and lifters and button it back up. You won't know until you get in there to take a look around. It'd be a shame to install all those new parts and have a bearing spin.
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71 Ghia Coupe - stock body - no rust! Powered by a 2110 W/Dual HPMX 44's - Rancho Pro Street Transaxle - A/C by Gilmore

Other car - 2013 VW Golf TDI

[SweetCars]

I am using 5w40 syn oil. The book says 15w40.

[Dr OnHolliday]

The "make your vw run forever" book says (essentially) to trust that your main bearings are good unless you have real evidence they're not and to not break the case open. Put in new rod bearings, p&c / new rings, clean up the heads....and drive...
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1965 Type 1 sunroof Baja / about 70k miles on self-rebuilt '74 1600 and counting / SP heads and aftermarket valve keepers / non-doghouse shroud with external cooler and filter / 1.5 qt extended sump / Weber 32/36 DFAV progressive carb / 009 dist with Pertronix / 1.25 ratio rockers and ball adjusters / 1.5" stainless steel J-pipes and carbon steel baja exhaust

[SweetCars]

When a little end play is it 100% a problem from the case or can be other thing?
Let say even a 1mm play which is 0.039".