by "DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
Published 01/13/2017 at 00:59
by "DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
Published 01/13/2017 at 00:59
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For a noob how good/bad of an engine would a 1st gen Rabbit/Golf be to rebuild?
I got a lot of suggestions on my other post for a Beetle engine, but prices are crazy for what you get. I know the Rabbit/Golf is a good 30 years more modern, but couldn’t be too bad right? Plus it’s carbed (I’m assuming) which would be fun to play with. The only downside is no auto to try to rebuild, but the car would also be 1,000x more fun with a manual so...
It’s looking like my only other options would be a 70's or 80's truck. However I actually kind of want to stay away from V8s since that’s twice as many cylinders and a heftier block to wield around. Not to mention more expensive machine work, if that’s required. (Again I’m assuming here.)
Case and point for the Rabbit/Golf. If this were a Beetle it would be $2,000
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Just to clarify. This would 100% be a project car to rebuild a motor for fun/education.
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
01/13/2017 at 01:02, STARS: 0
go to mexico and get your pick of a beetle motor for $300
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
01/13/2017 at 01:06, STARS: 1
These 8V VW’s could not be easier mechanically, they’re a great car to cut your teeth on. It’s not carbureted, and the K-Jet injection isn’t for noobs to mess with, but I can tell you anything you need there, and it’s really an elegantly simple and reliable system.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
01/13/2017 at 01:08, STARS: 0
But a rolling frame would still be like a grand. Plus I’d rather do “modern” motor.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
01/13/2017 at 01:09, STARS: 0
Is it possible/easy to convert to a carb setup?
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
01/13/2017 at 01:09, STARS: 1
if you want a project bug, so south mexico and get a frame and everything for 500$ further from the border the cheaper they get.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
01/13/2017 at 01:12, STARS: 0
True, but now there’s a trip to Mexico. And I don’t think my Uncle would let me borrow his truck to drive through Mexico to buy a Beetle. And I doubt the Integra has much towing capacity either. :(
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
01/13/2017 at 01:16, STARS: 1
rent a truck there. its mexico, what do you think they are going to do, check your DL? :P
joking aside, you could probably get it shipped back real cheap.
"Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition" (realasabass)
01/13/2017 at 01:37, STARS: 0
It has CIS fuel injection I believe, and that is the worst. I helped rebuild a 16v in an 87 GLI. It wasn’t too crazy. This car has no title, do you plan on scrapping the body or something? It’s got really old style plates from the 90's so it hasn’t been registered in a while.
You could buy a full size chevy truck/van with a small block. Pull the drivetrain and scrap the body. Rebuild the engine while looking for a “ran when parked” shell thats cheap. At that point you are pretty open to platforms with all the swap kits available for a small block chevy. It’s hard to beat the sound of a V8, and you can get a questionable rebuild kit with pistons on ebay for $200.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
01/13/2017 at 01:41, STARS: 0
Nah I’d keep the body. Mostly just to enjoy the fruit of my labor when I’m done. That being said I’ll have very low standards since I’d probably sell it for the same I bought it or just scrap it. ((In that case pull the motor (If it works properly) to sell and scrap the body then.)
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
01/13/2017 at 01:42, STARS: 0
I’d try to avoid a van. Just because of the weird hood/engine access. But I’d be fine with a normal truck though.
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
01/13/2017 at 01:58, STARS: 1
Easy and possible, depending on emissions/smog test regulations where you are. Totally illegal here in CA. But as long as the injection is working properly there’s no need unless you’re after power, in which case you should just fit later EFI.
"Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition" (realasabass)
01/13/2017 at 02:03, STARS: 1
Have you looked on copart yet? You should be able to find some pretty cheap stuff in the Houston area on there. You can bid on a lot of the charity auctions as a private party.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
01/13/2017 at 02:07, STARS: 0
Nah I’ll give it a shot though.
"Needmoargarage" (needmoargarage)
01/13/2017 at 02:30, STARS: 1
I haven’t rebuilt that particular engine but I imagine it’s fairly simple compared to most modern engines. However, it won’t be very cost effective. You will spend quite a lot on machine work and new parts. Why not look for a car with a better resale value that has a bad engine? Get your education and make some money at the same time...that’s how I got started.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
01/13/2017 at 02:47, STARS: 0
I’m just trying to avoid a V8. Just because of the number of cylinders and block size. There’s a bunch of trucks available though.
What kind of machining should I expect for a working engine? I’m kind of under the impression you can hone the cylinders yourself (without needing bigger pistons?) and the crank is really the only thing that needs machining AFAIK.
Of course assuming an “alright” engine.
"Needmoargarage" (needmoargarage)
01/13/2017 at 08:28, STARS: 0
Often you need to bore the cylinders further than you can at home. This requires new pistons, rings, bearings, etc. On a pretty clean engine that’s been well cared for sometimes you can get away with a simple hone of the cylinders, and that can be done at home. The problem is that you won’t know until it’s completely torn apart. Additionally, it’s often more cost effective to get a new crankshaft than have an old one machined. Really just depends on the type of engine and severity of damage. Most of the time if you know an engine needs a rebuild, it’s not in the best shape.
If you are not simply taking and engine apart and putting it back together, there is a lot of machine work you should get done if you want to do it right. At the bare minimum, you should pay a machinist to check things for you. You will want to deck the block, the heads, check all tolerances, get the valves done, and more. On most newer engines I’ve worked on, all the labor adds up to more than what a used engine would cost.