engine refresh guidance

[amfe]

I might have typed this in the wrong forum earlier.

I have a type 4 1700cc (EA stamp) running engine all original and needs a refresh. Engine runs good, and everything seems in working order on it except it has a few oil leaks and I have it out and about to do Cali conversion on it as it is going into my baja build. I am guessing it still has the stock cam and I have read the FI cams dont do that great with carbs. I am going to use duel carbs in the baja as the engine didn't come with any FI equipment.

Looking for guidance on how to freshen the motor up and give it some more power. Assuming the crank checks out would the following be a decent choice as a starting point or would you recommend something else? Is it wrong to just change the cam/valve train and P/C if everything else on the bottom end checks out?

web cam 163 grind
96 pistons
duel Weber 40 idf's?
1 5/8 exhaust
Heads? I know I would need to have the 1700 heads bored out and a valve job done. I do not really know what to do here. New heads? or any recommended shops that I can send my used ones to and have reworked? they are not in to bad of shape, any recommendations?

Thanks
Aaron

[raygreenwood]

First...wait until you have the heads off. If its an EA series there is a good chance it came from a 411/412/914. It "may" have the domed pistons for 8.2:1 compression. If it does...thats excellent.

If its just a refresh...measure pistons for collapse, measure ring lands for wear, check bore for scoring. If all checks out...get new rings. Do a very light hone on the bores.

Have the heads fully rebuilt. Ideally you would replace them at this age...but the 1.7L were good heads. In reality this means new valve seats and new valves and guides and have them crack tested. Get rid of the head gaskets. There was a technical service bulletin for this back in about 1990. The head gaskets when they fail will destroy cylinder and head. Lap the cylinder tops on glass with valve lapping compound...and then lap them into the heads.

With teh gaskets out...recheck the deck. They should be good. This configuration will give about 8.3 or 8.4:1 compression.

The EFI cams ran fine with carbs. However...the carb cams from buses ran poorly with the original D-jet injection that came on these engines. However there are much better cams you can get for carbs...and teh stock cams and lifters should not be reused.

Get double thrust cam bearings. Personally...I would buy the deluxe cam kit from the type 4 store. It has EVERYTHING and is worth every penny.
Cam, lifters, gear, Porsche swivel feet, chromolly pushrods, bolts, new rocker studs, valve springs, valve retainers, new rocker shafts (which are very nice) and a solid rocker spacer kit.

This is a good cam kit with all of the goodies. Its basically a modified Web #73 with a little longer duration to run cooler with gas with ethanol. It runs decnt with both injection and stock-ish dual carbs.
https://type4store.com/camshaft-kits/su ... m-kit.html

Here is a basic build I am working on. This will tell you how to refurb the stock oil pump as long as the gear lash is decent...and how to do double thrust cam bearings.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewt ... p?t=693726

Ray

[Clatter]

Maybe check my ‘Cheap Junk’ Build?
Often times used OG German parts are better than new Chinese.

[amfe]

Thanks for the feedback.

from what I can find I believe the engine was originally in a 411 or 412 as the dipstick and oil filler neck was attached at the bottom rear corner of the case.I took the heads off and they look to be in pretty great shape. Both heads cyl bore openings measure 100mm, same as the case bore, is that right or have they been machined out more than likely? One head is newer than the other showing a 2L part number.

Is Headflow masters still the recommended place to get the headwork done? I sent them an email and haven't received a response. I live in Oklahoma right now and dont know of any shops nearby that do headwork.

The pistons have dishes not domes, they are concave and are stamped 89.98 as best I can tell.

[cal 67]

Hi. Use European Motorworks' cylinders, as they're a higher quality than what AA is offering. AA's pistons for the 66 stroke are fine, as they weigh a lot less than the factory pistons did.

If you can swing it, a set of H-beam 5.00" rods would help your engine rev faster.

I'm a fan of the Web 86 with 9.0:1 cr. It will make power to 5500 rpm with some decent headwork.

For the heads, a little seat work, chamber work, and port matching will go a long way. Don't settle for a poor deck height. Get your barrels machined to run .040"-.050" deck, use no shims, and open your chambers up to the desired ccs for your target cr.

I think you only need a 1 1/2" header max. Your engine is small and it's turning low rpm.