Club 80-90 Forums

I am thinking about getting a new engine to replace my the 1.9l petrol in my 1984 T25.

Does anyone know what my options are?

Ideally I'm looking for the cheapest and simplest option.

I'm experiencing a similar dilemma and have now opted for a trustworthy mechanic to investigate the engine further. He feels that worst case new cylinder heads might be required (has done compression tests, etc. and observed oil loss through exhaust manifold) - although my issue is that labour + cylinder heads = £££ too. My hope is that he can see what is wrong and maybe avoid cyclinder head replacement.

Issues are -

1. Who is local to you that can repair instead
2. Are you prepared for the risk that what you put in is not much better than what gets taken out
3. If you put something different in there is a risk something else then needs replacing too e.g. gearbox

Nothing has given me much confidence that a replacement engine is a sure-fire winner. I had a VW Heritage brochure that didn't seem that old and listed a Vege CU engine at approx. £1,600 only to discover that now that price is more like £2,400. There are options out there to supply and fit replacement engines for less but all they are doing is putting something in that came from elsewhere and the cheaper you go the less you get in terms of quality parts/repair.

Mine is T25 1980 1.9 CU air-cooled. Family doesn't want a new van, they want "Gloria" back. Had a long history of standing idle, then I stupidly compounded that over this winter.

Only thing I have not really looked at is a different type of engine e.g. Subaru but not sure if that works in this type of camper.

See this: https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... e#p7757891" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

sodea wrote:I am thinking about getting a new engine to replace my the 1.9l petrol in my 1984 T25.

Does anyone know what my options are?

Ideally I'm looking for the cheapest and simplest option.

In the short term the cheapest is an unknown unit the same, swap over all your own ancillaries (exhaust, waterpump & pipes etc) I would strongly recommend that you go to the next cheapest which is to buy a known good unit which you can drive or hear and see running and then swap into your van.

Ian