I am considering rebuilding my '85 1.9l motor myself, but it appears few
people are doing this.  The reason I am considering this route instead of a
re-man motor are mostly financial, but not entirely.  My current motor runs
well, but is frightfully low on oil pressure.  It has a new oil pump,
lifters, oil pressure spring, 8 collapsible return tubes, etc.  All this
would be gone on a trade in.  The compression is still good and it uses
little if any oil.  With 20W-50 oil and a VW filter, I get 75 psig at start
up, but it drops quickly as the oil thins out.  The pressure loss must be
at the main bearings.  I only have 10 to 15 psig once the engine is hot and
at 2500 to 3000rpm.   Is there something about the rods and crank that a
competent shop can't handle?  I rebuilt a Suzuki Samurai motor with
excellent results using a local shop that specializes in high end (racing)
engine work here in Delaware.  The waterboxer has some obvious quirks, but
are oversized bearings available if I have the crank turned and the rods
rebuilt?  Am I just asking for trouble?  Should I chuck this motor and go
re-man?  The motor has ~125K on it.

                                                             Jay Snyder
                                                             '85 Westy
                                                             '89 Jetta
Diesel
                                                             '87 Suzuki
Samurai
                                                             '65 Corvair
Corsa Conv.