'Flawed' V6 conversion

Post by **Kenny** » 08 Jun 2006, 13:00

First post......General opinions requested please...

I have a 1985 Caravelle (orig. DG) with a 2.8i Cologne engine. All has been fine(ish!) for the last five years but the head gasket(s) has blown.
I am now left trying to decice the best way forward. My options are:

1) Have somone fix the engine, been quoted £500 so far, by a trusted guy. I know the general set up is OK and the van is reasonably tidy, a little seam rust is all thats wrong really.

2) Replace the engine....but with what?! Wouldnt nessarily want another Cologne just to go the same way in 6 months..even though it was awesome!

3) Sell the van as is? How much?

4) Break the van?

Any opinions welcome!

p.s. Its good to see such a well frequented forum. A great source of info for the Type25 owner, standard or not! Cheers!

Post by **mr_bricolage** » 08 Jun 2006, 13:26

Personally I would get the motor repaired. Although I would say £500 is a little on the steep side but depends what is being done. However if you replace the motor it will cost you a lot more than £500!
Incidentally what kind of mpg were you getting out of it?

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 08 Jun 2006, 13:35

Find another low mileage 2.8 and smack it back in there - lowest aggro and lowest cost option.

If yours has run for 5 years there's no reason another low mileage one wouldn't do another 5 years!

Post by **Kenny** » 08 Jun 2006, 13:37

For £500 I am apparently getting:

all gaskets
head(s) skimmed if needed
valves out and checked - new valve springs
oil and filter change
new water pump
new thermostat
labour
...and most of all I think, someone who will attempt the work on a Ford engined VW bus!

Whadya reckon?

The mpg was averaging about 20 I reckon...I didnt notice a great change from my original DG to be honest...only in power!!!

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 08 Jun 2006, 13:51

Don't mess about - Get the work done.

It's your engine, so you know whether it's good or not. Make sure you're tackling the source of the problem, not just the symptons - meaning that it's a simple head gasket failure, not that the head gasket has failed as a result of something else.

Post by **Kenny** » 08 Jun 2006, 14:08

Thats partly my worry, I'm pretty sure the engine is good generally but I cant help thinking that its a direct result of something else more sinister due to the conversion. I guess what I have got to look at is that it has run without any major problems for the last five years......

(Although at this point I must add it was off the road for about a year when we had the kids through choice and also I never go too far in it, ie no trips to Cornwall..yet!)

......any suggestions on causes of gasket failure apart from general fatigue?!

By the way what are you running? and Mr.Bricolage?

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 08 Jun 2006, 14:18

I'm running a Subaru EJ22 and 'I'm loving it' as the marketing spin goes..

I've done 1.9AAZ, GTD, GTI and Audi 5cyl conversions previously too. Not professional, just for the fun of it.

Post by **mr_bricolage** » 08 Jun 2006, 16:00

Running a 2.1 MV but I have seriously considering a upgrading to 2.9 from a Granny. The kit is still available so maybe.

Post by **excalibur** » 08 Jun 2006, 19:25

The cologne engine is a great lump (unless you can get an Essex lump as more tuneable).

Head gasket failure is probably down to age. Its a cast iron lump so less chance or it having warped anything. I would be tempted to get the top end sorted, but at a more realistic price ( I would charge about £200 for that) as they are realy easy engines to work on.

Failing that I would be off to the scrappies, plenty of rusty old grannies around with decent engines

me, running a standard 1.7 diesel in one, and a 5.8 GMC V8 diesel in the other {have a 6.2 GMC lump needing rings as it breathing heavy if you want to follow suit

)

Post by **Kenny** » 09 Jun 2006, 11:14

Think I have decided to have a go myself! How hard can it be? The money I save on labour I can spend on other stuff to improve van then more reason to keep...HA...there convinced myself again!!

Diamond Hell: EJ22! I think I would be lovin' it too, seen a few and they look spot on and I'm sure the performance etc is great. Unfortunatley I do not have the money or resources for it. Plus I guess I have a half decent V6 so it would be silly to start from scratch?! The other conversions you mention, did you run them or were they for other people?

Mr.Bricolage: A mate has a 2.9 Cosworth in his panel van..it is awesome! Likes gearboxs though! I have never driven or even been in a 2.1 so cannot compare. What does yours do mpg wise and how does the performance compare to a 1.9DG?

Excalibur: That was one of the initial attractions of the 2.8 it supposed simplicity. I guess I'm about to find out about the top end! Wish me luck! You have got to have won the capacity prize with that 5.8! That I have got to see! Got any pics you can post? Do you take it any shows? I think I will pass on the 6.2 however and stick to my 'little' (?!) 2.8.

Anyway cheers for all the advice guys, much appreciated! Dont know why I havent posted on here before...the wife is sick of my ramblings!

Right, I'm off to find a Capri forum and some cheap head gaskets!!!!!!

Post by **Kenny** » 09 Jun 2006, 11:16

....just realised, me fixing it wasnt one of my original options?!?!?

How did that happen!?!?

Post by **excalibur** » 09 Jun 2006, 16:48

So damn easy to work on mate, no complicated over head cams and belts/chains to worry about. Believe me they realy are a simple motor to work on

Post by **mr_bricolage** » 11 Jun 2006, 19:40

Mine does about 24mpg and I usually pass just about every other T3 on the motorway. Left several in my dust on the way back from North Wales.

Post by **Kenny** » 12 Jun 2006, 12:48

I've wimped out...decided after talking to a few more people over the weekend that I'm going with the first option and getting the guy to do the work. Hes interested in it and has offered a few ideas on improvements too so I kind of figured it might be for the best.....so, time to sell some stuff, I guess I should stick it in the classified section but do you know anyone that would be interested in a set of TSW Stealth 17" alloys (with two good tyres - 225/45r17)...fit straight on T3 with the spacers I have for them etc?? - £150