I just got a new to me 2.1L that I will be installing in my 85 Westy. I'm
going to use the distributor from my 1.9L because I'll be using my ECU from
the old engine. Is there anything I should be cautious about in doing this?
This 2.1 is in pristine condition, it still has the part number sticker on
it. The guy I got it from said it has less than 900 miles on it and I have
no reason not to believe him based on the condition it's in. He's also a
mechanic. So am I being overly cautious? I've been referring to the article
that's on the "Old Volks Home" web site, HOW TO: Vanagon 2.1 Into Vanagon
83.5-85 and the author did did the same thing that I'll be doing.
Any incites will be gratefully accepted,
TIA,
Paul in Tracy

On Sun, Jul 1, 2012 at 10:47 AM, Ken Olsen <648.ken@gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm putting back together my "slow turnover when starting" 1.9L
> (http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind1205A&L=vanagon&D=0&P=64115
> )
> with a ground crank and donor case. By far the hardest part so far has been
> getting the distributor drive shaft re-installed.
>
> With the engine at #1 TDC and the shaft aligned correctly, it would only go
> in about an inch below the block surface. Fiddling with rotating the shaft
> or the crank only produced heart-breaking grinding noises and some brass
> shavings on the edge of the thrust washers. (Arrg, what have I done?)
>
> My assumption is the thrust washer was hitting the drive gear teeth,
> keeping
> it from going in fully. I was able to install it without the thrust
> washers.
>
> My solution was to lower the washers in to place with a dental pick (very
> risky, I'll admit). The shaft then went in easily like before with the
> final
> alignment matching the picture in Bentlys. I quickly bolted the distributor
> in place, vowing to never do this again, and rushed in to message the
> collective to see if I'm crazy or not.  Do I need to take this motor apart
> again just for the pure joy of it?
>
> Thoughts?
>