Engine Replacement Advice Please

So, following on from The Bruce is Ill.....the engine is deffo dead, VW garage who I trust agrees. We can't let him die (of course!!) so need to find out what's the best/most economical way of resurrecting him. I'd love advice from anyone who has gone down the route of a new/recon engine. I've seen the ads in the mags etc but have varying opinions on how good they are, I'd be very interested in first hand experiences. Also any other ideas (sensible ones please )
So there you go TLBers, please advise/help away!

 

First step: find out what's wrong with your current engine. Unless it's something dramatic like a rod through the case, they're fixable. Did your garage tell you what the problem is?

 

He didn't even Look, it's a recon engine (fitted before we bought it so no idea on mileage etc) his advice was start afresh as the cost of investigation and repair not worth it considering no idea of provenance of original engine....

 

Btw, he wasn't trying to get the business for a new engine, he doesn't do them.

 

Where are you based?

 

He's obviously not interested . No need (and slightly crazy) to change a whole engine without finding out what's wrong with the original. It may be something basic.

What were the symptoms when it packed up?

 

Mrs driving so from watching....
I noticed engine note change, went very loud, I says dip clutch quick, loads of smoke, loss of power, cut out. When I looked underneath losing oil and smoking in engine bay and loads of smoke from crank case breather pipe. When I turned it over, v loud knocking noise and (obvs) won't start.

Tbf I trust garage man pretty well, they only do aircooled, he could take my money to investigate etc (he's helped by storing it free whilst we sort out what to do etc) .....

 

BTW, unfortunately no way I can investigate or strip engine.

 

North Notts, just off j27 m1

 

That does sound quite dramatic. Is it a type 1 (humpy fan shroud/fan belt) or a flatter type 4? Where are you?

 

Errrr you got me there 1600...I'll see if I can get a pic up, reckon you nerds, sorry knowledgeable folks could tell form that?

 

@MorkC68
Humpy fan shroud and fan belt methinks

 

Could have been big end failure. If so you might just need a new bottom end as your heads and hopefully cylinders could be OK. Also your carb should be salvageable.

 

I got a 1641cc from The Engine Shop around 6 years ago and so far I've been happy with it,

 

Not big end unless it has thrown a rod which wasn't noticed, or why all the smoke?
I guess holed piston. Could be repairable but will need a complete rebuild to be safe and you may find the rest is beyond saving anyway. Difficult to advise really. Certainly buying outright will get you back on the road a whole lot quicker.