I would chuck back together. Bottom end is worn, heads are knackered. Replace with cheapie Elite one. They are cheap but seem to stand by their work / warranty. If you take barrels off to be nosey you will have to waste money on a piston ring compressor to put It back together.
You've said you want reliable - doing valves, rings and big ends will (probably) get it running okay on all four cylinders again. However, this won't sort out the end float, or the worn bearings that are giving you the end float. So at some point (possibly sooner rather than later) either a main bearing will go, or more likely the end float will pop the main oil seal, dump the oil and that's it, game over (again). To do this one right so its 100% reliable (or as close as you can get) I reckon (others will probably disagree) that you're looking at a minimum of: 1) New heads (probably both) 2) New barrels, rings possibly pistons (old ones likely to be worn out of spec) 3) Machining of the case 4) New bearing shells throughout You may also find you need new/recon crank, cam, lifters and so it spirals. I'd view progress to date as a great autopsy of why it died, but I think its probably too far gone for a quick re-ring and valves. Weigh up cheap warrantied Elite vs how much parts might cost you - the elite will make economical sense.
If you're mechanically competent, and if you've taken an engine out I think you are. Then get the case and crank machined and rebuild it yourself with new or second hand heads. Yes you might get a guarantee with a cheap recon engine. But also factor in the time you're going to waste calling them up, arranging transport, taking engine in and out etc etc if it breaks. I think you'll do a much better job doing it yourself. There must be a reason that recons are so cheap. They're making a profit out of the £600 as they're a business. If you factor in what they must pay for overheads and wages etc, I just can't see how they can recon them so cheaply unless corners are cut.
Elite. Good for when you need an engine to sell your bus. "New" engine with warrenty sounds good on your advert. As a long term investment, not really the place to shop as you need to get lucky with the engine they supply. A bit like buying a part from the scrappy who cheerily says bring it back if it doesn't work, disregarding the time and effort it may take to find that out.
i bet 70 per cent of 1600 engines on the road will have a cracked head/s ... Rebuild yourself and you have the knowledge to take over the world and be able to paticipate in conversation at a vw meet....
I'd either rebuild yours properly or put it back together and take a punt on an exchange engine If you rebuild just the top end it will finish of the worn and tired bottom end in a fairly short time Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If I were to decide to fix this up properly, send it to eg robert parry for inspection/ machining, what is the worst case scenario money wise? If he said he couldn't reuse the case etc, and knowing I need heads etc. Rough idea on £££ ?? Couple of grand?
And also still being keen on Subaru (just not now), am I likely to get my money back on a recon (elite) engine if I sell it on? Obviously if it's proved reliable etc
If that was mine I'd rebuild it from the inside out but that's me I don't mind fixing stuff I fact I love it but I have a huge ish stock of spaires from over the years, you will need to get that case bored out and new bearing then new cam shells ect . Your looking north of 600 quid for parts just to bolt it back together less if you keep the Pistons and barrels but I bet they are scored to within an inch of there life as all the metal from the valves has gone somewhere. So it's crunch time I'm afraid. Hate to be so negative but sometimes pulling the plug is the best answer.
I can't see you getting your money back on any engine. Given the choice people will buy from a supplier so they've got some form of comeback in the form of warranty. Unless yours is cheaper it won't sell. At the price of some of them though you probably won't lose much
Yours will be a turn key so tried and tested worth a few quid more if sell complete. You wont need the bits if going Subaru
Yeah I meant selling as a turnkey., Could probably recoup most the money. As opposed to spending a shed load of cash rebuilding mine properly, I'd never get that sort of money back.
Recon engine gets you back on the road quick BUT for how long? BUT it will be cheaper than doing all the machine work and buying parts.
When buying a recon you have to give them your engine to get the surcharge back. But it seems it must be in " serviceable" condition which I presume means the parts are usable, so is it likely they wouldn't accept mine as it's crap? Ever heard of that happening?
they would take it ,like exchanges for alternators,starters etc ,something back is better than nothing... If you are not using your van till next year ,look around and do not rush in...
Don't listen to him. Froggy is probably having a 6hr lunch relaxing in the morning sun lol. Get it done pronto so we can keep up with your normal silly antics