Help us rebuild a 1.7, We have no idea what we're doing, but its fun! Options

[ericoneal]

Thanks.

Valy, I think your right. I'm going to take pictures of everything and then you guys can tell me what needs to be replaced.

[jcd914]

You may be able to find a local automotive machine shop that can clean the case fairly cheap. In the old days it would have been soaked in a hot tank of caustic chemicals but now days most all are water based cleaners. We had a high pressure wash cabinet with a rotating basket. In there for 30 minutes and it would look pretty good.

Before cleaning the case, be sure to remove the 5 dowel pins for locating/securing the crank bearings, they get lost easily. There are 4 in one case half and 1 in the other.

Jim

[ericoneal]

So this project is now on indefinite hold. I have discovered a 4 inch crack in one of the heads.

[malcolm2]

Sorry to hear. I am in Nashville. I have 2 heads from a '71 1.7. I have no idea about their condition. They are not cleaned up.

You can have them. If they will get you going.

[IronHillRestorations]

I can't believe that engine ran fairly well before I pulled it. As I told you it had low leak down in one cylinder (#3 iirc) The car had a lot of work done by a really shady "mechanic", but the PO didn't know anything about the engine

[walterolin]

Same as Malcolm2 - two 1.7 heads, no idea of their condition. Same price as Malcolms.

[Valy]

So this project is now on indefinite hold. I have discovered a 4 inch crack in one of the heads.

This sound like an upgrade opportunity to me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[Dr Evil]

I love this place. I need to get my soon to be 5yo in on something like this. Engines are more fun that transmissions, I think, but take more time and $$ (for me). Walter and Perry are kick ass, lucky you live near enough.

[RoadGlue]

Hey Eric,

It looks like I have a lead on a good 1.7 head that I could send you at no-cost. Would a head be of use if it needed to be rebuilt but was otherwise in good condition without cracks?

Let me know. You can PM if you'd prefer. Hate to see your project stall.

[ericoneal]

I dont know what to say... Malcolm, RoadGlue, and Walter, you guys and NCRider who sent me the rebuild DVD have been great. What a great community we have here! Thank you guys very much for the offers.

Malcolm, this engine came from Nashville, I bought it from Perry Kiehl as an "condition unknown", so I expected issues.

Walter, I may take you up on yours if you have no need for them and just have some laying around. I see Walter regularly and he is familiar with this engine and my driver 2.0, which he helped to get started afterm that one was rebuilt. Hell, the engine stand in the pictures is his as well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Walter has given me parts and time already, so I would want to give you at least something in exchange.

I'm still trying to determine what to do with this engine as the project has been stalled for awhile.
I can rebuild it, but I already have a 2.0 that was just rebuilt and is running great, so I probably won't need it. I would hesitate to sell it if I did finish it as I would hate to have it crap out on someone due to my limited experience.
Suggestions?

[flyer86d]

Weren’t the dish top pistons used on the 73 1.7s? I know that the 71s had pop up pistons. I would put a set of 96mm p&cs in it and try to find a set of 1.8 heads with the bigger valves and better ports. Mill the step off of the sealing surface for compression. I used to mill the big boss of the small end of the rods to lighten them a bit. It will run great with the stock injection and be a fun engine.

Charlie

[Boomingbeetle]

Weren’t the dish top pistons used on the 73 1.7s? I know that the 71s had pop up pistons. I would put a set of 96mm p&cs in it and try to find a set of 1.8 heads with the bigger valves and better ports. Mill the step off of the sealing surface for compression. I used to mill the big boss of the small end of the rods to lighten them a bit. It will run great with the stock injection and be a fun engine.

Charlie

If you are interested in this route, I have a set of 1.8 heads newly rebuilt by Brothers VW in Ontario CA, the heads have also had the spark plugs relocated to the 2.0 angle/position which is supposed to increase HP. PM me if interested and I can get you pics and receipts.

[ericoneal]

So this project may be picking back up. I found a set of, what are said to be, 1.8L heads near me for dirt cheap but they will need to be cleaned up. I'd like to make this engine a 2056 and I know this has been asked a hundred time before but, can I just drop 96mm pistons and cylinders into 1.8 heads without needed to have any work done to them, then fit them on this 1.7L case? Will the sheet metal fit too? From what I read, these are preferred over 1.7 heads for strength and performance.
Would I be better off getting Walter's 1.7 heads and doing the same, will those need to be cut for 96mm?

Finally, have a look at these heads, can you guys definitely identify them as 1.8s?

Guy states: "The heads are oval port with 40mn intake valves and a 93mm cylinder bore." I want to make sure he's not passing me bus heads or something...

[malcolm2]

Cleanliness is not what is required on heads. Someone needs to check them out. Cracks etc…

2056 will need a 71 mm crank along with 96mm jugs and pistons. That crank will also require smaller rods. Folks say to make a 1.7 into a 2.0 you need to make sure the rods and crank clear webbing etc inside the engine. The cooling tin would fit 1.7 ans 2.0 jugs the OD is the same.