decision... decision... please help

0to60in6min

hi all,

could you please pitch in your though...

WBX 2.1 - 125K miles needs to be rebuilt

- cylinder walls good condition, still have score marks
- good pistons
- bad rings, to be replaced
- bad heads, to be replaced...
- no prior signs of bad bottom end

now the question - doing top end only or a full rebuild? (cost wise, full rebuild is double of top end only)

many thanks in advance...

whynotvw · Samba Member Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1322

go all the way, or do a engine conversion

rubbachicken · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:40 am Post subject:

who's doing the work dan ?
if you are doing it, i'd maybe go the whole hog.
if you are paying for it to be done, and you know the bottom end is good, only replace what's needed
_________________
lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'

markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182

0to60in6min · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:47 am Post subject:

thanks for the reply

if I could afford I'd go full rebuild for this engine which will go in my 1990 Carat..I love conversion but it's way over my budget... and...

there's also my Syncro... which the engine will need a rebuild soon too... how soon I don't know... but I can see the dark clouds on the horizon..

the work will be done by a local mechanic....

geodude · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:50 am Post subject:

If you have pulled it out and are going to pull the pistons out to do the rings I'd go all the way on the rebuild. You are doing most of the work, so why not know that everything is in great shape. The way I look at it you can spend $1,000 extra now and have a reliable completely rebuilt engine for the next 10+ years or risk having to pay $3,000-$4,000 again in a couple years.
_________________
1988 GL Camper
1991 Multivan — the basket case

joseph928 · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:00 am Post subject: engine

atomatom · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:14 am Post subject:

you could get the mechanic to measure the endplay - you can make your bottom end rebuild decision based on that. if sloppy and leaking oil, out the main seal you might want to invest a bit more.

if you don't split the case, you might consider at least getting new rod bearings and reconditioned rods: http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_679_269/connecting-rods-set-of-4-see-description.html
_________________
84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

MarkWard · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:16 am Post subject:

A compromise would be to remove the connecting rods, have the bolts replaced and have them resized at the local machine shop. This way you aren't into the case, but don't have to worry about a rod coming off once you put some load on it with the top end overhaul.
_________________
☮️

PDXWesty · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:21 am Post subject:

If it's not a daily driver, do the top end only. You may get 5-10 years down the road before you have any problems with the bottom.

I drive my van about 5000 mi/yr, so a 50,000 mile repair lasts a long time.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

0to60in6min · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:27 pm Post subject:

PDXWesty...
no... it won't be a daily driver... it will be a recreational van for camping when time permits... 5K miles a year max, not even that...

atomatom ...
thanks for suggestion of the end play checking...

rsxsr ...
I will talk to the mechanic about the connecting rods bolts

no matter the decision, I will put in an external oil cooler with fan...

sea_sick · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:42 pm Post subject:

alaskadan · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:39 pm Post subject:

Find someones used engine from doing a conversion. It seems alot of vans get more than 125k from the stock engine. Call some conversion shops see if you can find one with less than 100k on it. Most people who do a conversion dont want much for their engine. I gave mine away and it seemed to run well. At that point someone doing a conversion has spent alot of money and youd think they would be trying to recoupe as much as possible. But I think if they were like me they were just happy to see it gone.

alaskadan · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:40 pm Post subject:

Find someones used engine from doing a conversion. It seems alot of vans get more than 125k from the stock engine. Call some conversion shops see if you can find one with less than 100k on it. Most people who do a conversion dont want much for their engine. I gave mine away and it seemed to run well. At that point someone doing a conversion has spent alot of money and youd think they would be trying to recoupe as much as possible. But I think if they were like me they were just happy to see it gone.

davevickery · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:56 pm Post subject:

I was told once by a very credible VW shop that the bottom ends are good for double the top end. I didn't listen and got a fully rebuilt engine. It was a lot more expensive and the idea that I was somehow saving myself trouble was not the case and I wish I had listened.

My vote is for top end. Disclaimer, I am not a mechanic, just a customer most of the time. But people here will usually go overboard in my experience.

Steve M. · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:23 pm Post subject:

look into changing the camshaft for more power if your going to split the case.

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50348

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50348

boroko · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:55 pm Post subject:

i had a 2.1 go 250k without a bottom end rebuild. Then again, when it did go, it was a rod bolt.
2nd on the JB weld for head pits in the coolant area. Works great.

Mark
_________________
'87 SyncroWesty: Smokey the Turtle, '85 SubiWesty: Chappie, '84 GTI, '86 GTI in full Rally trim,
previous: 2 Syncro tin tops, 2 Vanagons, 3 busses, 3 Ghias, 2 Jettas, a 411, a gas and a diesel Bunny and about 25 Beetles, one that only drove left.


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1