Need some help with a WBX

[mitchgreensill]

Evening all

I have removed the heads from my 1.9 WBX today, not a bad job (all studs are intact ) however when removing the heads the liners seemed to come out with them which im not sure they were meant to as i have no idea how youd get the pistons back in the liners/cylinders without a strip down or am i being blonde and thats how they come apart?

However after reading lots of bad stuff is it even worth fixing the old dog? Stretched head studs and so on....as nice as the old engine ran and sound i keep thinking of going modern in the back of my mind.

I keep thinking of an 8v gti on the 4 speed box instead of repairing the boxer, does anyone think its worth while spending £80 ish fixing the boxer or for an extra couple of £00 go for the more modern gti lump that would probably pull the van better.

Im a heavy diesel mechanic by trade so im not worried about the work involoved but everyone makes the WBX out to be a bag of nails.

Any opinions or advice welcomed as i really am split down the middle and want to get on with it and get away in the van this summer.

Hi aswell im new on here! Currently converting a nice black panel to a bit of a camper....all good fun!

Mitch

[Eta-Beta]

Fix it,,,, there a lovely engine, and if you care for them- they will go on and on, ,only neglected ones fail. The 8v golf engines are useless--if you want to do it propper then vr6 it.

[Mr Bean]

The heads can be changed without popping the rings if you optimise the pistons towards TDC. I guess the rings could be sprung back in with a decent ring clamp or some thin steel strip and jubilee clip or cable tie. The thin "O" rings for the base can be stretched over the barrels if you are careful . It worked a treat for me although I do worry about the fragility of the engine and it's complicated warning indicators. Plus its so quiet at the back I just can't hear the usual comforting feedback noises. My rebuilt engine failed under warrenty when the timing gear rivets let go and broke the crankcase among other things! I am sticking with it but need some confidence building reliable trips out of it.
Cheers
Wolfie

[humphry]

don't know much about the golf 8v ,the vr6 could be a thirsty unit , Subaru's are ok but you've got to get one that's not been neglected, and thrashed racing any car that's been covered in glue and ram raided through halfords .if you know the history of your wbx ,then she may be worth doing ,or look for a decent 1.9 wbx .me id fix my 1.9 or look to replace with the same, and certainly a lot more user friendly than some modern day over censored ecu,d plug me into a computer and i might tell you whats wrong ,engines i don't envy you re dilemma but i hope this helps you decide

[humphry]

don't know much about the golf 8v ,the vr6 could be a thirsty unit , Subaru's are ok but you've got to get one that's not been neglected, and thrashed racing any car that's been covered in glue and ram raided through halfords .if you know the history of your wbx ,then she may be worth doing ,or look for a decent 1.9 wbx .me id fix my 1.9 or look to replace with the same, and certainly a lot more user friendly than some modern day over censored ecu,d plug me into a computer and i might tell you whats wrong ,engines i don't envy you re dilemma but i hope this helps you decide

[humphry]

don't know much about the golf 8v ,the vr6 could be a thirsty unit , Subaru's are ok but you've got to get one that's not been neglected, and thrashed racing any car that's been covered in glue and ram raided through halfords .if you know the history of your wbx ,then she may be worth doing ,or look for a decent 1.9 wbx .me id fix my 1.9 or look to replace with the same, and certainly a lot more user friendly than some modern day over censored ecu,d plug me into a computer and i might tell you whats wrong ,engines i don't envy you re dilemma but i hope this helps you decide

[humphry]

im sorry its posted my responce 3 times its this bloody computer its over ecu,d

[CovKid]

Having succesfully fitted a bored-out and tuned type 1 engine (bug) into a crewcab in the early 90s, and been impressed by the power it produced, if I had money to chuck at it, I'd do the same in a straight T25 and modify it to take air blown from a relocated fan. I still have that engine and whilst its top speed was comparable with a 1.9 WBX, it pulled like a devil up any hill. It really did shift. Its been a while now, but I did fit a cam suited to hill climbing and various toughened components like chromoly pushrods, swivel tappets etc. Its real plus was availability and low price for spares.

Mind you, that WAS in an Aircooled wedge and I'm spoilt by the better heating in a watercooled so perhaps I won't go back after all. The 2.1 WBX may be a better bet or a modified 1.9?

[mitchgreensill]

looks like i might go for it then. Has anyone had any experience with the cylinders&liners coming away with the head as im looking for an easier option than dropping the sump and taking the caps off to get it all back together....any good jiggery pokery?
Mitch

[toomanytoys]

You cant "drop the sump"......... its a case split job id suggest not splitting the case unless there is debris in there..

Are ALL of the heads studs in good nick and NOT corroded... ?? if not they will need changing...

Need to remove the gudgeon pins and re fit the pistons to the liners, then refit to the rods.. you need to support the rods when removing the pins though..

[mitchgreensill]

How are you meant to get the gudgeon pins back in though if the piston and rod are in the liner? Or do you just put the piston in so far so the rings are in and then put the pin in and push the liner over it? Thought as much theres not much of a sump on them is there.

All of the head studs are sound was just going to run a die nut down them!