What engine please????

So, if I go the T4 replacement route and sell the existing T1, which I like the sound of re recouping some of the outlay, should I consider a rebuild of the T4 by a competent engine builder?? Appreciate depends on T4 condition and a service may be fine, but whilst it's out and accessible??? What would be a reasonable cost for a refurb parts/labour???

 

I don't have experience of type 4s engines, but I used to have a lovely type 1 1776cc with twin kadrons.
It flew up hills, it was happy at 7omph and it had a standard gear box, 185 65 R15 tyres
Other than being 1776cc the engine was pretty standard:

Standard Forged VW crankshaft and stock conrods.
Mild performance cam: Bugpack 4061 with 370 duration and 396" lift
Oversized Barrels & pistons.
Pair stock valve VW twin port cylinder heads, cut for 90.5mm (1776cc) with mild port Stainless steel valves, heavy duty springs & aluminium rocker covers
Kadron carbs, with linkage, air cleaners etc. modified for use with vacuum distributor for improved acceleration and economy.

 

Remind us again....why did you get rid?

 

because I thought it was broken, so i replaced it with another 1776. It turned out it wasn't broken just a faulty oil pressure switch. You live and learn!
Have you got your engine back and in the bus yet?

 

Even if you planned to rebuild, you need to buy carefully, not just the first one that appears to be complete.

 

No . Shortly though, fingers X'd

 

Paulcalf, that's the decision i need to make - existing T1 upgraded and rebuilt or swap existing T1 for T4. On the face of it, swapping to a 2l T4 would give extra 'grunt' for potentially less initial outlay, but as zedders says choice of T4 will be important.

Re engine builders it's been suggested Steve Strong, elite engines or Dan Simpson.....

 

Can I ask why folk don't simply bung a long throw 84mm crank into a 1600 T1 & have a lovely torquey 1928?

 

Have a look at Paul weeding on the late bay

 

Thanks Jacosmotor will do.

 

You need to get some priices together to help you decide type 1 or type 4
I have personal experience of Paul Miller at Harry Harpics Engines. I've had two type 1 engines from him. Located in Essex. Always busy
I hear good things about @robertparry engines (midlands ish?)

 

Thanks, agreed, hadn't considered the T4 option before, so will start the homework over next few days and phone around. Some really helpful feedback on this forum, appreciated, always a minefield when you start trawling the net for info!

 

Yes you only want to do this once, so do it right!
Think how you use your van, how long you are likely to own it and work out what you really need.
Then decide how deep your pockets are!
Id go built by someone who knows what they are doing, rather than off the shelf engine

 

^^^^
What he said ...you are only as good as your last job as they say .
You could do 50 engines up successfully and then one day one goes wrong ...then the talking starts .
Self employed persons nightmare

 

Give a wipe down with a damp cloth and put it in.... CJ'S are from the end of the end of the aircooled time... cases are quite tough. See how it goes then decide. Or dive in yourself. .. I'd never done it and spent last winter in the garage with a book and this forum.. seems to be OK so far but only 700 miles on the engine to date.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

£600 to £800 is under now for a 6 rib with any sort of provable integrity....

My Subaru ran fine on a Boggo 3 rib but then they are 16valve head units and happier around the 3500 to 4000 rpm mark.

I'd go bigger wheels and tyres before gearbox. In fact that is what I did...

 

Faust, Deefer66, Moons - thanks. The more I research, the more I'm beginning to feel the T4 may be the better option for me at this time. My needs are purely to cruise (!) at 60mph and have some pull up the long hills - nothing more - I have no desire for 75+mph with white knuckles!! Its clear that to really get the best out of an upgraded T1, the quality of the engine builder is fundamental (better still to do it yourself if you have the skill and equipment). Seems most people agree that the parts take care of themselves ie DRLA’s, Pertronix 009 distributor, bosch blue coil / leads / alternator etc etc. Ideally a 6 rib gearbox would follow at a later stage after the cleaned/serviced T4 is fitted, but existing 3 rib box without thrashing it seems ok for now. There are pros and cons for both engine set ups, but for now the T1 1584cc swap to 2lt T4 option suits me best I feel, based on needs, budget, useage etc. Each to his own! Thanks for all the feedback.