Author Topic: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?  (Read 7812 times)

February 26, 2011, 11:13:00 am

mtnbob

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What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« on: February 26, 2011, 11:13:00 am »
Finally got my tax return money and am ready to take my block to the machine shop. I have already been told that I need to take the pistons with me so they can check the clearances. Is there anything else I need to take with me? Do you typically take the crank, intermediate shaft, and camshaft, to get checked or balanced. I have heard others mention that the passages inside of the crank should be cleaned out. Hot tanking for the block, before and after boring needed? Any thoughts on this or an other suggestions? This is the first time I have ever undertaken a rebuild and I want to get everything right.  ;D
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon

Reply #1February 26, 2011, 11:24:48 am

Rabbit79

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2011, 11:24:48 am »
The main bearing caps need to go in with it.
Current: 1979 Rabbit 4dr
            1984 F-250
            1999 Ford Ranger
Other v-dubs I've owned:
84 Rabbit
78 Rabbit (gasoline) flipped it end over end after driving all night and falling asleep at the wheel. RIP, it was a good little car.
70 Bug

Reply #2February 26, 2011, 12:23:44 pm

rallydiesel

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2011, 12:23:44 pm »
I would get the deck checked/planed.
2006 Jetta TDI - gtb1749v, Malone 2, Frank's Titan 2 cam, VR6 clutch....
1991 Jetta TD - sold :(
2001 Golf TDI - Son's
1981 Rabbit - BEW tdi swap project

"ONCE YOU GO CLACK, YOU NEVER GO BACK"

Reply #3February 26, 2011, 12:35:16 pm

mtnbob

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2011, 12:35:16 pm »
Ok, keep them coming, I am writing my list 8)
Is cleaning the passages inside the crank something I should be concerned with?
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon

Reply #4February 26, 2011, 02:32:02 pm

Dakotakid

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2011, 02:32:02 pm »
Connecting rods checked and reconditioned.
The mask and the shot(s) are actually an IQ test. If you are wearing or circulating, you just failed the test. I can't feel sorry for you.

Reply #5February 26, 2011, 07:48:17 pm

maxfax

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2011, 07:48:17 pm »
Connecting rods checked and reconditioned.

And if you are opting for the ARP rod bolts have them installed before checking the rods...

Reply #6February 26, 2011, 08:02:17 pm

mtnbob

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2011, 08:02:17 pm »
I hadn't even thought about rod bolts. Can you reuse the original rod bolts? I was considering ARP studs. Are these necessary for a daily driver with stock boost? Can I reuse any of my bolts?
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon

Reply #7February 26, 2011, 08:08:53 pm

maxfax

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2011, 08:08:53 pm »
According to the books, the rod bolts are to be replaced, as well as the crank sprocket bolt, and of course head bolts and flywheel bolts..  

 However I and many others have reused rod bolts, ad flywheel bolts for that matter..  For my self it was on fairly stock daily drivers...  

On my latest engine I had no clue how many times it may have been apart (it was quite the abortion)..  I decided to replace rod bolts..  Found a buy on ebay that made the ARP bolts (which are reuseable) almost the same cost as the VW rod bolts...

ARP recomends having the rods checked after installing..  There was a thread on this no too long ago, some people were fine, other needed to have them resized..  Luck of the draw I suppose...

Reply #8February 26, 2011, 11:32:22 pm

maxfax

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2011, 11:32:22 pm »
I never really paid attention till you mentioned it Andrew,  Bentley is the only book that does not say to replace them..  ???   The VW service manuals as well as most others say replace them after a certain date in '81, and have different specs for both..  Earlier was a straight 33 ft/lbs, later was 22 ft/lbs + 1/2 turn..

« Last Edit: February 26, 2011, 11:34:59 pm by maxfax »

Reply #9March 01, 2011, 06:03:25 pm

mtnbob

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2011, 06:03:25 pm »
Dropped off my block today. The place impressed me with their knowledge of VW diesels. Turns out that there are a few diesel dubbers around my area that I wasn't aware of. They didn't blink when I mentioned the .001 tolerances. They asked me to leave my bentley service manual and said they had no problem making sure it was in spec. They said they would install my intermediate shaft bearings and install the pistons, crank and bearings also if I want them to do that. Unfortunately they are pretty backlogged and I am looking at 3-4 weeks before they will get to it :o They had no prob with magnafluxing and checking the block for straightness. They recommended my using top of the line German pistons, seals,bearings , etc.
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon

Reply #10March 01, 2011, 09:51:02 pm

Rabbit79

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2011, 09:51:02 pm »
Don't feel too bad about that.... The machine shop had my block, head and crankshaft for 4 months.   :o
Current: 1979 Rabbit 4dr
            1984 F-250
            1999 Ford Ranger
Other v-dubs I've owned:
84 Rabbit
78 Rabbit (gasoline) flipped it end over end after driving all night and falling asleep at the wheel. RIP, it was a good little car.
70 Bug

Reply #11March 02, 2011, 06:48:49 am

maxfax

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2011, 06:48:49 am »
Just make sure you NEVER tell a machinist, "There's no hurry"..  That from the mouth of my machinist.... ;)

Reply #12March 02, 2011, 06:56:33 am

theman53

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #12 on: March 02, 2011, 06:56:33 am »
Just make sure you NEVER tell a machinist, "There's no hurry"..  That from the mouth of my machinist.... ;)
X2. I was going to put that last night, but for some reason didn't. I have been doing it the other way by telling him "As soon as you can get to it. I am ready to go right now." Still takes a month or so usually.

Reply #13March 02, 2011, 07:27:22 pm

mtnbob

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #13 on: March 02, 2011, 07:27:22 pm »
ok thanks for the info
86 VW Golf 1.6 N/A 4-door (soon to be turboed!!!)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2598033828_d3d19f9842.jpg?v=0
96 Subaru Outback Wagon

Reply #14March 03, 2011, 03:48:01 pm

fatmobile

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Re: What questions do I ask the machine shop for my rebuild?
« Reply #14 on: March 03, 2011, 03:48:01 pm »
The bushings in the small end of the rods will probably need replaced and reamed to fit the piston pins.

Then the ARP rod bolts and the big end gets checked for roundness.

Then they get balanced.
 I don't remember if I had to supply the rod bearings before getting the rods balanced.

Oh yeah, and the oil pump has some bushings in the block that can be replaced.
Tornado red, '91 Golf 4 door, with M-TDI 12mm pump, south bend clutch, VNT-15 turbo, 02A trany
MK4s: 2000 TDI jetta, 2003 TDI wagon, 2000 golf 2.0 gasser.
'84 Rabbit with 1.7TD KY block pistons bored to 80mm, VNT-15
'84 GTI with stock 1.6TD starion intercooler.