Swapping a 2.0L in a 81 Vanagon, automatic trans

[weinerwagen]

Alright folks, input needed before I drop the engine out of my Vanagon L automatic 2.0. The original engine has served well, but tired. I have a spare motor which I am in the process of replacing heads. Once the head swap process is finished then comes the fun part.

I've swapped MANY waterboxers motors. But, all were stick shifts. Never an automatic trans.

I know in my Jettas (circa mid to late 80's) with automatics, one has to un buckle the torque converter carefully to keep from shearing off the input shaft.

In pulling the pancake motor out of the Vanagon, is there any issues in regards to the automatic with the torque converters? Will it slide out as easily as the 4 speed Westie I did a few months back?

I know the cat is going bye bye, and an external oil cooler is being installed but before I un buckle the engine, what kind of input can one who has been there---done that, in regards to the automatic.
_________________
Retired attorney--Tort King.

[oorwullie]

firstly ,there is no input shaft on bus, dunno about jettas.

there's a plate bolted to the crank instead of flywheel(5 bolts in middle). this is attached to torque converter on tranny with 3 bolts(equally spaced round the outside edge). there's a plastic plug on the top of the back of engine casing(remove airfilter to see it). you have to turn engine till you can see the first of these bolts,take it out and turn further for the 2nd and 3rd.

then the engine slides out just like any other, but be careful with the torque converter, they like to jump out as well.

if your engine was seized you'd have a serious problem with loosening these bolts.!

[Karl]

How are you going to smog that thing in Fresno, Calif WITHOUT a cat??

Your NOX reading will be off-scale!

[weinerwagen]

KARL!!!!!!!!

Where have you been hiding! Smog?????
Well, its called an address in Alpine County which is exempted from bi annuals for the time being...... they been saying since 1986 "NEXT YEAR WE GOTTA SMOG"...
You remember that brown air cooled that I drove one day? I am tired of listening to that noisey engine. So its getting a transplant.

Most all of the smaller population mnt counties are exempted for.....


_________________
Retired attorney--Tort King.

[weinerwagen]

Oorwullie....How's our Swiss friend doing? I have a son in Germany and one "down under" in Sydney. They always come home with the greatest accents....(you know what I'm sayin'??????) Someday, when I am old and gray (what you are NOW!!!!) I'm spending my kids money to visit Europe and buy me a couple of dozen more VW's!

On a A-2 Jetta/Golf, (85-92 USArsions), one removes a small plate off the bottom of the flywheel torque plate. One rotates the motor around and unbolt the converter so one can separate the engine and trans. You gotta be careful or you can take out the input shaft on the trans, or snap it in half.

I am guessing, that the Vanagon setup is going to be the same design, since VW tends to stay with what works.

As long as the fires stay stable in the Western Basin of US, I can get to pulling that engine out from the van. But there is a Passat getting a new 16V head, and a Caddy getting a turbo diesel head in line first!
_________________
Retired attorney--Tort King.

[weinerwagen]

Orrwullie, I got a look at a flex plate from an automatic trans off of EBAY, (I bid on it btw just for a spare)

I now see those three bolts that holds the converter on.....I can see where those three bolts removed will allow the engine and trans to separate

now, if I can just get motivated!!!!!!!!!!!!
_________________
Retired attorney--Tort King.