Help: California Engine Swap

[CptRon]

Hey all,

I've been doing my research and would love to find a rebuild local (I'm in Santa Cruz but can travel most of California or pay for West Coast shipping). My compression on 1&3 cylinders is around 50!

The trouble as most know it's hard to currently find someone who has rebuilt engines.

I don't want to do Gowesty since I have a 1.9 and know I'll probably eat the core fee.

Bus depot is 12-14 weeks and shipping across the county will add up.

Tassi has them advertised on Craigslist but I am wary after their poor reviews.

Old Volks Home here is Santa Cruz is trying to help me find a local one.

I did try the Vanagon FAQ but most information on rebuild is older or I can't reach the people listed on the short recommended list.

Just hoping someone can point me in the right direction and I am not trying to cut costs or go cheap. I want a quality rebuild that will last.

Thanks in advance!

[jimf909]

It's been 7 years or since I've been in touch with Jerry at NW Connecting rod south of Seattle but he may be a source of a rebuild or to rebuild yours.

Given how things are going with rebuilders this may be a long shot.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/archive/index.php/o-t--t-690810--.html

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=331465&highlight=connecting+rod
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- Jim

[Californio]

Call Felipe at 523 Rods. http://523rods.com He'll be able to help

[16CVs]

Try Peninsula automotive in Campbell. He has a good reputation. Ken Jansen in Belmont is great but he takes 6-8 months maybe more to build an engine.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
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Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
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[danfromsyr]

I thought GoWesty used 1.9s to build their 2.2 or 2.3 engines?

probably means you should probably call them to know for sure.

https://www.gowesty.com/view_page.php?name=enginecore
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[svig]

Call Dave at OutWesty. He's in Tahoe now, but used to be down in Santa Cruz. He's a great guy and a good resource with contacts in the Bay Area that might be able to help. https://www.outwesty.com

[valvecovergasket]

[CptRon]

Thanks for all the info.

I will reach out today to Jerry at NW Connecting.

Also, I have only heard stories from shop owners saying I won't get much of the core back from GoWesty.
Would love to here from someone with first had experience as a customer of theirs.

[jayinduluth]

I know this is south of you..

says he's got engines..

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/pts/d/vw-vanagon-for-parts/7359352113.html

you can also try this guy, he doesn't have a website with what he has, you have to call him -

Barry's Boneyard
Please call me anytime, if not there, leave message, I will get back,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>............. 714-848-3700,,,,,,,,,,,,<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Our address is:Barry's Boneyard
17637 Jacquelyn ln, Huntington beach, 92647
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85 Westy with 91 2.1L

[skills@eurocarsplus]

not sure if this would be an option:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=757614

last i knew bus depot sold AVP engines and they are pretty junky

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=234030

i had a AVP T1 engine come thru here once. the thrust cut was so oversized the had a giant snap ring (looked like a slinky coil) wrapped around the bearing.
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[Ahwahnee]

[Wildthings]

A place doing Subaru swaps might well have running engines for sale. I have gotten a couple of engines from Small Car in Seattle. One cost me $400 and one $500 IIRC, but that was a half dozen or more years back now.

[Bermoco]

I have been dealing with Bruce Tassi for a long time and am aware of the reviews. The majority of my experiences with Tassi have been positive with a couple of negative ones but Bruce has always made things right for me. I use Tassi mostly for parts and usually do all of my own mechanical work. Tassi rebuilds their engines in house. Greg is their engine rebuilder and has been doing it for many years. You may save some money by having your engine rebuilt by them and install it yourself. They can also do the install as well.

[16CVs]

Bruce is a great guy, his engine builder is good but they are assemblers and not machinists.

Few people can turn something around as quickly as Tassi but sometimes it comes at a cost.

They have done quite a bit of work for me over the years and I have learned to pick what jobs to have them do.

They are great for the big ugly work but finesse is not their strong suite.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Abscate]