Bottom end - that's the oil pan on a WBX isn't it - sorry couldn't wait
until Friday!

We now return you to your regular viewing schedule!

David Marshall

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Sam Walters
Sent: January 10, 2001 10:41 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: WBX engine bottom end - how to know if it is good

Volks mechanics,

Often in discussions about engines to be rebuilt people talk about the
bottom or bottom end of a engine being good.  I think I am correct in
my understanding of what this is, the part of the engine between the 2
cylinder heads.  (If this is correct, it actually is the "between" part
of the engine on the flat opposed cylinder type engine and this is a
borrowed term from upright inlines and V? engines, but we know what we
mean. Who would know what the "between" of an engine was anyway?) The
pistons, cylinders, crankcase, crank, etc.  Clear me up on the
definition
if I am wrong please.

But what does it mean to say that this is good, and more importantly how
do you tell if it is not good.  Often people are selling used engines
with somewhat leaky heads that could be rebuilt.  Sometimes for very low
prices if you will come pick it up and get it out of their garage
pronto.  Yet often these engines have been sitting a year or more.

I would appreciate some guidance here.  I probably face either doing
the heads on the 84's 1.9 or looking for a replacement WBX as a cheap
way to keep the '84 going, neither my son nor I are ready to deal with
getting rid of it, even if we can only make it useful for limited around
town driving. This could also keep the miles down on the Syncro and
prolong its life.

Thanks in advance,

Sam Walters
'84 Vanagon 174k, original owner
'89 Syncro 175k, new to me