1989 Transpo Diesel 1700cc

[Furgonzo]

Hello All,

My name is Seth and I'm new to this site as I am about to purchase my first T25. I am a former Bay owner, VW fanatic and a mechanically inclined tinkerer. My question is this. As I have begun my research into this vehicle, I am finding virtually no information about the 1700cc diesel, non-turbo. I live in Santiago, Chile and I am finding parts hard to come by as no one has heard of this motor. Does anyone have any experience with it? Gas (diesel) mileage? Power issues? The thing is in cherry condition, not a spot of rust, owned by an old man who's driven it 6,000km in the past 6 years...
The other issue is this. He had the engine overhauled some 2000km ago and after the overhaul didn't re-tighten the head (necessary?). As he was driving home one day, the head separated and left him stranded. He had it faced and reinstalled but again hasn't re-tightened the head. I'd buy it in a heartbeat for the 3500 he's asking for it, but the head gives me pause. Red flags for anyone?

Thanks in advance for any help...so stoked to be driving a Dub again!

Seth

[jamesc76]

if the engine has had it, bung another derv unit in it loads of info to convert over to a 1.9 derv out of a golf etc, have a look on alternative engines! Oh and welcome !

[Evsi]

Can you not re-torque the head and get a compression test done? I'd imagine it would have damaged the gasket though if it seperated.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I thought that the 1.7 KY engines were just 1.6 units with the bores opened up for the extra 100cc, the rest being exactly the same as the 1.6.

[Wolverine]

Does the engine run at all? If the head has sepereted (and how much separated?) what about the timing of the fuel pump and the head cam,...can you get these things adjusted?
Is there any car service for T25:s,somebody who can do the head gasket change and head cam & pump timing?
Its better to get a new head gasket and do the whole gasket-change-job as correctly as possible.

I thought that the 1.7 KY engines were just 1.6 units with the bores opened up for the extra 100cc, the rest being exactly the same as the 1.6.

The 1,7KY has larger valves too,so the cylinder head is different.