re a used 2.0 inline VW gas engine..
'mostly' ..used VW engines 'usually' need or could benefit from a new
head gasket..
as that is 'the' engine part that gets a huge amount of stress and heat
cycles on it.

it's not a big deal to pull head and rods/pistons ( and see if there are
piston oil squirters in the block too, if there's any question on that )
hone cylinders, put in new rings, rod brgs, head gasket and head bolts .
and freshen up the head.
Not that hard and pretty rewarding.

Well.............. now you have to get that 1999 1.8 turbo Audi engine ..
no imoblizer to deal with either.
Tells me they are conversion-savvy, though they don't mention Vanagon.
They'll probably hold it while you pay over time.
let us know how it goes ! lol.

scott

On 9/19/2012 1:22 PM, neil n wrote:
> Huh. Go figure.  :)
>
> Still an attractive price. I too hate buying used engines. Even though the
> 2.0 is common, and cheap used, it's still a used engine. My first
> preference, as was advised to me via more knowledgable people here, was to
> get a donor. I may do that for my next swap.
>
> if low KM's : http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/3235067885.html
>
> or (drool):  http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/ptd/3195360356.html
>
> But that's just me. Both would require lots of my hours. Bostig: far less.
> Suby kit: likely less.
>
> Time is money, money is time.
>
> Neil.
>
> On Wed, Sep 19, 2012 at 9:23 AM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> You could a month ago, now they are $1300, still cheap.  I hate used engines
>> --nobody changes their oil anymore.  When I first started looking last year
>> I found them for $750. I guess I should have gotten one, but I didn't have
>> the van then.
>>
>>
>> http://www.fordracingpartsdirect.com/FORD_FOCUS_ZETEC_ENGINE_p/m-6007-zx3.ht
>> m
>>
>> Stuart
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> neil n
>> Subject: How To Choose YOUR Engine Conversion
>>
>>
>> .....(btw, you can still get crate Zetecs for $1000?).....
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>
> '88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>