I had to re-assemble my WBX myself after I bought my van (somebody else took
the engine apart- long story, also, I'd never worked on a flat 4 before) and
I wound up picking the wrong bolts to connect the torque converter to the
engine- they were about 2mm or so too long, so they seated before the
converter was tight, and I couldn't tell initially what had happened. Made a
hell of a racket. I dunno if this is your problem, but it sure sounds
similar, n' I thought I'd mention it anyway so maybe some other doofus won't
do the same thing.
 It came back to haunt me, too- cracked the converter right at the shoulder
of the shaft passage, which gradually opened over time and leaked tranny
fluid like a @%^&#$%. Went down the road lookin' like Cheech & Chong were
hitchin' with me, hash oil 'n the works.

Good luck!
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Loretta Abbott" <river_boarder@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 11:16 PM
Subject: h2o engine transplant sounds tinny/diesel-like

> Hi Folks, I'm back in the Vanagon groove after several months of
> Vanagonlessness. I got my 90 back after my divorce and just put an engine
in
> it last weekend. Trouble is, it sounds tinny and more like a diesel than a
> gasoline powered. It's not the clicking sound of a sticky lifter but a
loud
> rattling. My dad is helping me but he knows very little about volkswagens
> and thinks they make no sense at all but he thought maybe it was the
> transmission pressure plate or a bearing. Has anyone had this experience
and
> could maybe offer some advice? The engine was from a junkyard and comes
with
> a warranty, so I can get another one but if the trans is causing this I'd
> like to know before going through the engine removal and transport thing
all
> over again!
> TIA
> Loretta
> 90 GL automatic "pseudo-diesel"
> 92 Ford Sportsmobile
>
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