I too suspected the rear engine mounts, however I replaced them with the
new engine. I also got an opinion from another mechanic who indicated
that everything looked like it was in order. Also, because I had another
bad pipe and and a poorly cast collector knuckle ( all same aftermarket
brand) I had to return I suspected the pipe bend. Maybe the new engine
mounts are thicker, this would account for the rear engine mount bar
being closer I think ?  They did look a lot beefier than the old ones
they replaced ?

-john

On 5/31/2011 4:52 PM, Jake de Villiers wrote:
> John, I have had the Danish exhaust pipes on both my 1.9 and 2.1 with
> no issues at all, so I'd tend to look for worn or broken engine and/or
> transaxle mounts.
>
> Jake
>
> On Tue, May 31, 2011 at 3:35 PM, John Goubeaux <john@ucsb.edu
> <mailto:john@ucsb.edu>> wrote:
>
>     So , just to follow up on this thread I determined that the "clunk"
>     noise I ( sometimes) hear when starting or stopping the engine is the
>     rear exhaust header hitting the rear engine mount bar.  I replaced the
>     exhaust headers on the new engine (after marker Danish ones) and along
>     with poor quality issues ( one of them had a cracked weld at the
>     flange)
>     it looks like the bend on the rear pipe comes too close to the rear
>     engine mount allowing it to hit the mount bar. Not sure if I can get a
>     muffler guy to fix this or not but at least i know what is causing it.
>
>     I'm surprised no one else has had this problem as well, as I suspect a
>     lot of people are using the aftermarket pipes being sold. These were
>     purchased from Van Cafe.
>
>     -john
>
>         Guys,
>
>         I have roughly 500 + miles on a new GoWesty 2.2 engine that I just
>         installed and am curious about an odd noise it makes, but only
>         when it
>         is warm, eg been brought up to temp. On startup, ie cranking, just
>         before it starts and when turning of the engine there is a
>         small clunk
>         noise. Almost as if before and after  ignition takes place a
>         compression
>         sound as the engine comes to a stop. The engine runs fine and
>         there are
>         no odd noises while running only at start and stop. I have not
>         been able
>         to listen to it back at the engine compartment yet but am
>         planning to do
>         so. Nothing is loose that can explain this and maybe it is a
>         normal
>         sound and is compression on these engines? Oddly it only
>         exhibits this
>         noise when hot though. Could it be a loose head? Sticking valve?
>
>         Logically I am being very careful to break it in properly and am
>         listening and watching its behavior carefully and want to
>         ensure that
>         this is not something that is going to end up being an issue
>         down the
>         road.
>
>         Any ideas ?
>
>         -john
>
>
>
>
> --
> Jake
>
> 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX - 'The Grey Van'
> 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Subie - 'Dixie'
>
> Crescent Beach, BC
>
> www.thebassspa.com <http://www.thebassspa.com>
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com <http://www.crescentbeachguitar.com>
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
>