He dislikes them???Yet he will oblige you and do one??? Call me an old
nitpikcy fart, but if the guy doesn't "like them", is he doing a decent job
and is he familiar with the nuances of these silly german motors???

< In fact he said he really
<dislikes working on all the German engines regardless if it is VW,

Daryl of AA Transaxle
(425) 788-4070
aatransaxle.com
86 Syncro Westy
Zetec in the trunk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: Engine Rebuild Questions

> Just got back from a meeting the rebuilder and we are replacing:
>
> oil pressure valve
> oil pressure relief piston spring
> All New Lifters
> New AMC Spanish Heads
> Wrist Pin Bushings
> Cam Shaft - Reground from Van-Cafe
> Complete Gaskets Replacement of All seals
> Piston Cylinder Kit - From Van Cafe - German Mahle  ( does anyone
> recommend the 2.2 piston kit from Vanagain or GW?)
> Piston Engine Ring Set - Grant Brand
> Standard Main Bearing Set
> Crank Shaft bearing kit
> Rod Bearings - Standard
> New Temp Sensor with Lower threshold to keep the engine cooler* - Van
> Cafe 80 degree
> New Oil Pressure Sensors
>
>
> The rebuilder said all the other parts looked good.
>
> Indeed he has done these before he said and he realizes the
> complicated nature of how torque ratio's and well as the extreme
> precision of the tolerances are required. In fact he said he really
> dislikes working on all the German engines regardless if it is VW,
> Mercedes or BMW. For him hey says they use way to many bolts and misc.
> parts to complicate the process. He told me once the parts arrive he
> can have it done within 3-4 days. Sound about right?
>
> Am I missing any other crucial parts to replace?
>
> He said the crank, stud bolts and other key parts all looked good and
> said the engine seems in otherwise good shape for its age.
>
> Thanks for assistance.
>
> Rob
> NY
>
>
>
> On Apr 6, 2009, at 1:29 PM, Robert Stewart wrote:
>
>> Good Monday to everyone,
>>
>> I have a local engine rebuilder working on my 2.1 Automatic engine
>> which had roughly 250,000 miles on it.
>>
>> He informed my heads needed to be replaced. I could clearly see the
>> space between the two valves having a indentation bridging them and
>> the surface areas were very badly pitted.
>>
>> I planned on purchasing a set of rebuilt heads from Van-Cafe, anyone
>> think this a good or bad idea?
>> Anyone used them before? Have any feedback?
>>
>> Secondly is there anything regarding the rebuild that is a must to
>> replace component wise since he has it all apart?
>> i.e. sleeves, pistons, camshaft etc...
>>
>> I am awaiting a final parts list from him now but want to be sure I am
>> not missing anything.
>>
>> Before he rebuilds it he is going to be cleaning all the parts in a
>> special bath then glass bead blasting the non sensitive parts.
>>
>> Also how long should a standard rebuild take? i.e. 7-21 days? or is it
>> something that can be done in a 40 hour work week?
>> What kind of price should I expect?
>> He told me it would be roughly $1500 dollars.
>> He said he would be check to see if the camshaft needed to be reground
>> and would check all valves etc. His shop only does rebuilds but of
>> mostly race car engines and big truck engines so I trust he knows what
>> he is talking about. He is not a VW guy at all he just knows engines.
>> I did give him the Bentley just to be safe though.
>>
>> Any advice would be appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Robert
>> NY