Type IV Engine thoughts...., Off Topic for the vehicle, but on for the engine Options

[malcolm2]

I can't seem to settle on what I should do here. I have a good 1.8 engine, that I probably could have just attempted to get running, but it was so greasy, I figured that it did not have too much maintenance done on it over the years.... I found a bearing had moved a bit and the dowel pin gouged it. But that is all I found. Measured the bearing saddles and they are all round and even front to back.

So I figured I would crack it open and give it new life with a stock rebuild. Just a daily driver, reliable engine with torque for the bus.

I want to put it in my 72 Bus. I figured I would go with new dual carbs and a new carb cam. Considering a mega squirt option tho. So that would be a different cam. On my 914 I got the cam package from Raby years ago, so I figured Type4store for the full cam package with all the goodies.

Again, I was thinking of 96mm P/C, but also figured I would save alittle $ and just re-install the 93mm stock P/C. But the 1911 option is still on the table.

The Heads are what really have me thinking. I would like to find a local shop that might be able to check them over, but I don't think there are VW experts around here now-adays. Should I try to do some checking myself? I am cleaning them up to look for obvious cracks. What else can I do myself?

I know the Type4store has great ones, just can't make myself pull the trigger. Even heard bad stories about AMC stock (non-type4 store ones) being not so good.

Asked similar questions on TheSamba but really did not get much advice.

You guys have any thoughts?

[TargaToy]

What I took from Malcolm2's post was a question about the possibility of re-using his 1.8 heads, presuming they are actually "low mileage" and undamaged. I know it's generally accepted now that the heads are now XX years old and not viable for a rebuild but sometimes, these old heads have just been sitting.

I've got an old 1.8 that's been sitting for years in my shed waiting to be a donor and I have no idea how long it sat before I procured it. Like the OP, I was planning to eventually tear into the 1.8 and see if the heads could be rebuilt.

I think we've all read Jake's old article about building a 1911 or 2056 and saw that 1.8 heads made really nice street heads due to their larger valves and ability to take 96mm cylinders without machine work.

So back to the topic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ...is there anybody left that will still work on cylinder heads and give them a rebuild/refresh for those of us that aren't ready to stroke the big checks for new performance heads?