Non running '84 Scirocco - what am I getting into?

[GenXer]

I found a deal locally on an '84 Scirocco. It's not running and the only info I have gotten on it is that it broke down coming home from work one day. The first thought I had was maybe a timing belt broke and then wondered if an '84 Scirocco has an interference or non interference engine. According to a site I found it looks like the '84 is a non-interference engine. The price seems right at $200. I figure it's worth it in parts. Any thoughts of things to be aware of if I pull the trigger?

[TDCTDI]

Almost all of the early 8v were non interference but there were a couple of engine codes that were (mostly European examples). $200 is a good price point, you could recoup that at the crusher. The only concern would be is how long it sat, over 1.5 years & it starts getting sketchy (& expensive) in terms of the fuel system.
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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.

[ps2375]

I'll agree with above post. A good place to start is the timing belt like you thought and then fuel pump. When those go on a CIS motor, they shutoff like you turned the key off. Not enough residual pressure like an efi motor. After converting my CIS motor to MS, I could pull the FP fuse and it would idle for another 30 seconds or so. Less run time under load. but not the drastic shutoff like a CIS motor.

[GenXer]

I always hate it when OPs abandon topics so in that vein, I decided to pass. He had sold the wheels. I was going to have to score four wheels, find a car hauler and then deal with having a junker in my driveway for an indeterminate time. It was probably still worth it but just figured I would wait for another opportunity. As a little bit of background, I grew up around VWs as a kid but I have never owned one. The closest I came was I almost got a '68 Squareback for my first car (back in '85). It was mostly dents and faded paint. I've been looking off and on over the years for a fun old vw project. Hopefully in the next year or so I will find one.