In Oct 1999. my 2.1 WBX burned and melted a piston. Metal all through
it. I had not connected with this group yet and was not very
knowledgeable about Vanagons. That has changed dramatically over the
last ten years. At the time of the melt-down I put the ol' Red Brick n
the hands of a very capable VW mechanic and he pulled the engine, and
dismantled it to see what had happened. Tuned out the engine was a
Canadian VW Factory Rebuilt engine with the yellow sticker on top of the
case. The van had about 86,000 on it when I bought it and the engine
failed - as I remember - about 90,000-94,000 miles. Since I bought the
van used off a car lot, I can only guess as to why this  van had a
Factory Rebuilt Engine installed somewhere back before 86,000 miles. It
has always been a mystery - but certainly indicated a hard life on the
first engine - and probably a hard life on the Canadian engine - given
the still low mileage on the Van when the second engine failed.

After the yellow tagged engine was pulled for disassembly and
inspection, the melted piston, head damage, cylinder damage was evident.
While I was debating what my next step was to be, my mechanic called me
and told me of a 2.1L WBX  just rebuilt by a local re-builder. Given
what would be involved in getting mine rebuilt, I opted to simply
purchase the locally available rebuilt engine.My cost at the time was
$1700 plus the head from the my dead engine. This gave me a locally
rebuilt engine (good for warranty issues) plus a basket of engine parts
- for which I hadn't a clue as to what I would do with - maybe do my own
rebuild at some time in the future?  Well, That $1700 rebuild has been a
beautiful performer, and the only trouble I ever had with it was a
leaking  Flywheel/Crankshaft Seal  just recently. With 10 years and over
100,000 miles on it, I can't complain about the engine or the price.

So, back to my question. Given one can buy a complete run-out 2.1L WBX
for a couple of hundred dollars, what value might a basket case engine
with no heads be worth. Some bucks, or is it junkyard scrapmetal, or
should I give it to my local rebuilder for a few kudos on my next engine
purchase/overhaul?  I don't know if the case is suitable for another
rebuild. Dunno what Canadian VW does to the cases when they
remanufacture one. Center-bore the crankcase boss'es to over size to
true them up?? That could preclude another rebuild if enough metal was
removed.  I have three Vanagon GL's - therefore three engines. Do I
really need another engine?

I request the wisdom of the List!

Thanks.

--
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com