Engine build suggestions, Engine suggestions Options

[brooks944]

Hi, great to see the world back! I have a 74 with a 1.8 that was rebuilt with a Webcam, 96mm cylinders an 40 webers. The car has never been right and rich to the point of washing the cylinders. The engine has been out, back in and still not right. My trusted shop thinks it’s a timing issue as well as another local shop who is well known as a 914 pro. I am pretty confident it’s not a carb issue, lots of jet and even other carbs have been tried.

My question is the shop with the car has a 2.0l GA motor that another customer gave him on some other work that’s been in storage. Instead of continuing to struggle with the 1.8, should we use the 2l (assuming it’s a good case, etc), my cylinders and cam to build a 2056? Should match the carbs, but look forward to your input and suggestions.

Thanks,
Rick

[brooks944]

Thanks again for all the replies. I have a “faucet” type fuel pump as recommended by the original engine builder, who is a well known local and regional VW builder. Did not have a fuel pressure regulator so never knew what actual pressure was running.

From everyone’s input, it looks like I’ll be better off going with the 2l engine if it checks out, knowing that to get to the 2056 I’ll need to order new 96mm pistons, etc.

Looks like the cam that was in the 1.8l will work for the 2l, it’s a Webcam 152. If it won’t work, please let me know.

Rick

[Jack Standz]

Thanks again for all the replies. I have a “faucet” type fuel pump as recommended by the original engine builder, who is a well known local and regional VW builder. Did not have a fuel pressure regulator so never knew what actual pressure was running.

From everyone’s input, it looks like I’ll be better off going with the 2l engine if it checks out, knowing that to get to the 2056 I’ll need to order new 96mm pistons, etc.

Looks like the cam that was in the 1.8l will work for the 2l, it’s a Webcam 152. If it won’t work, please let me know.

Rick

First, why rebuild another motor/engine before you figure out why/if you need to? The 1.8 (or 1911 or whatever it is) motors are good motors when properly rebuilt and tuned. So, what is wrong with the 1.8? (Too high fuel pressure, bad compression, what? And if the 914 experts can't figure it out, why trust them to build another motor?)

Second, if the 1.8 motor is bad, why buy the 2.0 motor? You likely can rebuild the 1.8 into a 2056 with new parts for less than the cost of the 2.0 motor plus the new parts you'll still need. Maybe and only if the 2.0 heads are pristine, which is very unlikely. Don't know anyone that rebuilds them anymore.

BTW, still suggest running a fuel pressure regulator no matter which way you go.