'91 1.6 NA (with alt. comp.) into '91 eco diesel body--starting problems

[Bludodger]

Started by pulling valve cover and hand cranking. All seemed normal. Reassembly and cranked it over to a perfectly behaving VW Diesel that had been dormant for 2 years. Eventually drove it around the driveway with no major problems other than serious coolant leak from drivers side head flange. I will be investigating that later along with the heater core. Should be fun...stay tuned please.

So I am still convinced something was preventing a valve or two from seating. Likely an acorn since i did spot a diesel charred split one right underneath the engine this morning. FWIW, my family thinks im the nut-lol. I think the high revving was a way for the ol' diesel to cough up the acorn out of the intake... either way all is well. Thanks to all that helped me. More to come- for sure. 
 

[vanbcguy]

one of these days one of us is going to have a runaway so bad on one of our hotrods that the clutch isnt going to stop it. VW clutches are tiny. they slip like no other when they start going out.

CO2 fire extinguisher into the intake would probably take care of it... Just dunno that I'd want to open the hood lest I get a piston in the gut!

[Rabbit on Roids]

well, that fire extinguisher idea is a good one, i always pack CO2 extinguishers around with me. and my intake is right in the cowl of the hood.