rebuilding

Ghia Nut · Post by **Ghia Nut** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 5:18 am

So what do you look for when rebuilding an engine. Do you just clean the parts or grind them or what. How do you guys recomend cleaning the parts. I was going to try and find a small motor that would vibrate a pan with the parts in a cleaning solution. (im just trying to get a ballpark figure of how time consuming this is) Also do you think I could rebuild an engine correctly with a $600 budgit?
thanks

[This message has been edited by Ghia Nut (edited 08-06-2002).]

rich2481 · Post by **rich2481** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 6:10 am

I do this for a economy rebuild,

I use a bench top grinder with a wire wheel to clean the P&C's ( of course dont kill the pistons or take the edges off the side)
I use a broke piston ring and carb cleaner to clear the grooves.

I use cheap 99 cent oven cleaner and my pressure washer to clean the block and blow all passages out with compressed air.

I have a set of mic's so everything gets mic'd. the most time is spent on the heads because the exhaust guides are usually shot and need replacing, of course the valves are typically shot, I buy heads from swap meets and scrap the crap. I have the grinders to do seat and valve.

I have had good luck with reconditioning engines and my kids beat the crap out of them so I dont throw alot of money into them.

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 6:23 am

Just one note on the oven cleaner, be careful because I think it will eat into the metal if left on there too long.

Usually mineral spirits works fine for me when cleaning a case. A $.99 parts washer brush and an abrasive pad for the tough stuff.

Just make sure you have good parts to start with and an el cheepo rebuild is much less than $600

... I would advise getting professionally rebuilt heads for like $140. Well worth it unless you know how to properly do it.

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Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino" - FS
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese" - FS

JC-ATL · Post by **JC-ATL** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 9:01 am

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ghia Nut:
Also do you think I could rebuild an engine correctly with a $600 budgit?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Correctly? Not likely, if you want to use good parts that will last reasonably well. Also, I find that the effort to build one inexpensively is hardly worth it. You're better off to wait, save some money, get the good stuff.

rich2481 · Post by **rich2481** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 9:45 am

I can rebuild one in my garage for a lot less than 600 bucks, I have never had a problem with a engine in 25 years of doing it.

depending on what someone wants to build then I would advise saving money for a bigger Non-stock engine, VW designed the engine be quickly repaired in the field, look at the history.

Ghia Nut · Post by **Ghia Nut** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 10:30 am

I have decided to rebuild it due to,,, well I just would feel better if I kept the stock engine. I am most likely going to have to buy new heads for the engine I think because the seats require that lead additive so I have this situation coming any way. Should I try to get OEM or get repos, I was thinking OEM because people are saying theres alot of JUNK out there and stock is always better, then again theres that fule additive problem that I keep getting confused with and what parts it affects.

Post by **Marc** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 10:49 am

How many times/ways do you need to be told that you don't have to use a fuel additive?

Ghia_h4x0r · Post by **Ghia_h4x0r** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 10:55 am

I think around 600 is a good budget for a stock rebuild... I just did mine about two months back and it came real close to that. I had a local shop (Painters Grinding) do a valve job on the heads, resurface the flywheel, grind the crank, inspect/line bore the case, and balance all the parts. Along with new P/C's, new stock cam, new oil pump, bearings, push rod tubes, gasket kit, etc. the whole rebuild came to about 600-650.

beetlebum · Post by **beetlebum** » Sun Aug 25, 2002 2:16 pm

do you guys buy all your parts separate or do you get rebuild kits? and where do you get them? the month of september is the month i rebuild my engine and i need to get started buying parts. thanks

beetlebum

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keeping it realer than real deal holifield

Derek56Oval · Post by **Derek56Oval** » Mon Aug 26, 2002 6:37 pm

as far as cleaning parts, I just acquired an used dishwasher and I use it for cleaning parts. I put wheels on it, make a cord with a plug, and ran a hot water line to it. I stuck it next to my washer and dryer in the basement. I only use dishwasher soap since every other soap will suds up and out of the machine. I just give the really greasy parts a quick degreasing scrub and then the long potscrubbing cycle. heads, cams, oil pumps, engine cases all seem to clean well this way.