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Help - will this engine fit my van?
Posted: 01 Mar 2012, 16:16
by mariner
Hi all
Recently posted for some advice on recon engines (thanks for the replys). Havent commited to anything yet and a second hand engine has come up on ebay. Its described as being the following:
VW 2.0L AIR COOLED ENGINE WITH CARBS ALTERNATOR & DIZZY ~ Type 4 Porsche 914 ~
I'm a little confused by the Type 4 Porsche 914 bit at the end. Is this a suitable engine for my 1982 2 l van?
Sorry if this is a stupid question

but better check before I think about bidding!
Re: Help - will this engine fit my van?
Posted: 01 Mar 2012, 17:00
by lloydy
our van and that car did share the same engine, the porche version i think had a bit more bhp? Before you bid though you might want to double check things like engine mounts, tinware ect as these are bound to be different
Re: Help - will this engine fit my van?
Posted: 01 Mar 2012, 19:30
by gsmoke
Hi,
The engine would go in easy, but there would need to be a lot of buggering about with ancillaries.
The crancase is almost identical to the 2.0 cu engine but the brether is different on top and the dip stick would have to be relocated. The 914 heads have bigger valves are renouned for cracking, and this would be more likely pushing your heavy van around. You would have to use the tinware from the cu and probably the fan and fan cover. Plus other things that I cant think of at the moment!
If your sticking to air cooled I'd spend your money on a good cu engine, If you rebuild yours (not that hard) it would cost more than a recon but youd at least know that its been done properly.
Re: Help - will this engine fit my van?
Posted: 01 Mar 2012, 19:34
by gsmoke
Just read your post again and iirc the 914 engines had points so you'd be better of with your cu dizzy.
Re: Help - will this engine fit my van?
Posted: 01 Mar 2012, 19:39
by sarran1955
Hello,
This is a 2 litre van engine, NOT a porsche 914, which was 1800 cc in Europe, and now getting rare.
Its even got the engine mounting bar.
Seems a bit dear at £ 300 for a maybe non runner, but look at the cost of a pair of new heads, so for spares, not that bad.
What's wrong with your motor?
Cordialement,

Re: Help - will this engine fit my van?
Posted: 01 Mar 2012, 20:39
by mariner
Cheers for the replies. Sounds like it could be a bugger to fit. I take your point about a rebuild but we were quoted around £2600 which a. we dont have and b. isn't really worth it against the value of the van.
The current engine is leaking oil pretty signifcantly and blowing a lot of smoke out of the breather pipe, which isn't where it should be due to carbs fitted before we bought it. Couple of different people have told us a new engine is best but it has to be on a budget! Like you say £300 seems a tad high for a potential non runner.
Thanks again for the advice - think we might give this one a miss.
John
Re: Help - will this engine fit my van?
Posted: 02 Mar 2012, 10:26
by billy739
other than time you loose nothing stripping down your motor.
diagnose / repair may be cheaper and definatly better than an unknown motor.
have you compression checked it ect
if you try and narrow it down may be easier to diagnose
it may simpy be a set of rings!
Re: Help - will this engine fit my van?
Posted: 02 Mar 2012, 18:22
by sarran1955
Hello,
^^^^^^^^ WHS
Invest in a compression gauge, a spark plug spanner, 6" of rubber breather hose( to help wind in and out the spark plugs), and a squirty spout oil can.
Photos would help.
Best scenario: new rings £44, new valve guides £ 6 ea, gasket set (german quality) £28.
Plus hours and hours of fun and grimy fingernails
Worst scenario : Buy a F*rd.
Buy the tools and then we'll see
These little videos may help:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sarran1955/videos" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Cordialement.
