Club 80-90 Forums

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into having the engine replaced in my van so am starting to research various engine recon places. However most of the ones I have come across such as Vege have 1.9 Watercooled engines for 1985/91. However my van is 1983...I imagine this will result in a number of problems? Any advice would be appreciated. I won't be doing the replacement myself as I'm no where near confident enough driveway mechanic to attempt a job such as this. However I know a mechanic that has done some work on the van in the past who would be able to do the replacement.
Thanks

I think the cooling system changed shortly after the wbx engine was introduced, but I thought that was around 1983?
What engine code have you got in there now? If it's a DG the later ones had 2 oil pressure switches and a different water pump, so perhaps that's the reason for the dating on the recons you have looked at. I don't know if you can revert to a single oil switch without using the earlier type water pump as well.

The engine is a DG petrol, I had a new water pump put on it last year as the old one failed.

I imagine this will result in a number of problems?

Only from someone without knowledge of flat four WBX engines

your replacement will be OK.
the engine you receive will not have any ancillaries fitted, so all your old stuff will bolt to the new one.
My friend replaced his '83 DG with a late 2.1i
all his old stuff bolted to the new engine.. no problem... even the exhaust

J188 wrote:The engine is a DG petrol, I had a new water pump put on it last year as the old one failed.

Not quite sure what you want to know

have a look at http://www.theengineshop.info/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The bloke who runs it ( jim gray i remember) knows alot and is very helpful. Im running in one of his engines atm (when DVLA send me correct paperwork anyway Grrrr)

There are no issues running a "late" engine in an "early" van.. as said the engine will be bare so all of your cooling system and exhaust will bolt right on.. the only question mark is if they are happy to accept the early engine (if it really is the original) in as the core.. I am pretty sure Elite do as they have a large amount of stock for early engines (or at least did have).. It may not be an issue tot he others either..

Look on the side of the sump, there is a part number cast into it.. does it end in a "B" or not? "B" = late case (85 on)