Engine/trans swapping

[RustyToy]

Ok, This weekend an '84 Rabbit followed me home. I bought it primarily for the engine. I've been looking for another engine to drop into my '85 Golf. I miss my Golf and HATE my Jetta! (it hates me too so the feeling is mutual).
The rabbit has a 4 speed and the Golf has a 5. I'm wanting to stick the 5 speed on the engine from the Rabbit and drop them both in the Golf.
Anybody know of any reason this wouldn't work? ie, different bolt patterns on the transmissions etc?

[vanagonturbo]

It will work just fine. You will need to get rabbit trans mount bracket and the 4 shift linkage pieces to make it work though. You cannot use the Golf bracket and linkage bits because they are totally different.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Ok, This weekend an '84 Rabbit followed me home. I bought it primarily for the engine. I've been looking for another engine to drop into my '85 Golf. I miss my Golf and HATE my Jetta! (it hates me too so the feeling is mutual).
The rabbit has a 4 speed and the Golf has a 5. I'm wanting to stick the 5 speed on the engine from the Rabbit and drop them both in the Golf.
Anybody know of any reason this wouldn't work? ie, different bolt patterns on the transmissions etc?

sure it will work. but theres some things to change..

the passenger side engine mount needs to be modified, or changed. gotta get rid of that round motor mount off the end of the engine. install the gasser mk2 mount on the diesel, and install the gasser trans. if its an early gasser golf, it will prolly have the ACN trans, and they are very good..

you shouldnt have to change anything in the trans, if you are using the trans from the golf, to go back in the golf..

then hook up fuel lines/wires..

the golf is an a/c car isnt it?

[vanagonturbo]

My bad. I thought he was putting the golf stuff in the rabbit.

[RustyToy]

actually, I'm thinking I might not have been very clear. The Golf trans is staying in the golf but getting the Rabbit engine. Both cars are/were A/C cars and both are/were diesels.

The 1.6 Diesel in the golf gave up the ghost last year. I'm bringing it back to life by dropping the 1.6 Diesel out of the rabbit into it.

[R.O.R-2.0]

actually, I'm thinking I might not have been very clear. The Golf trans is staying in the golf but getting the Rabbit engine. Both cars are/were A/C cars and both are/were diesels.

The 1.6 Diesel in the golf gave up the ghost last year. I'm bringing it back to life by dropping the 1.6 Diesel out of the rabbit into it.

wasnt sure if the golf was a diesel factory or not. just assumed it wasnt. its gonna be EVEN EASIER since its already diesel.

all your really gonna have to worry about, is the engine mount on the injection pump bracket.. and make sure the alternator on the engine has the same plugs as the one from the car, and if not, swap the alternator..

[burn_your_money]

And you will need to change the exhaust manifold.

[R.O.R-2.0]

And you will need to change the exhaust manifold.

why? 84, and 85 should both have toilet bowl manifolds?

or are they a different offset and stuff? never knew there was a difference in mk1, and mk2 manifolds..

any accessories on the outside of the motor are EASY to change tho, thank god.

[BigVWman]

There is an offset difference mk1 to mk2.
Still super easy to swap when they are out of the car!

[R.O.R-2.0]

There is an offset difference mk1 to mk2.
Still super easy to swap when they are out of the car!

super easy to do out of car, and not TOO much of a pain to do while in the car either.

then again, i was doing a clutch, and i leaned the engine as far towards the radiator. maybe you better just stick with doing the swap while its hanging in the air..

[RustyToy]

when I do the swap ( hoping to get started on Monday) I'll be setting both engines and transmissions on my workbench. Much easier to work on when you're not hunched over or chasing a swinging engine. I'll be installing a new timing belt and water pump/thermostat while I have the engine out as well. Just seems like the right time to do it.

will the starter from the mk2 bolt onto the mk1? I have a brand new one in the box dying for a place to go.

Debating on a new clutch while I have the trans seperated from the engine. But the clutch was relatively new in the Golf before it gave up the ghost.

[R.O.R-2.0]

when I do the swap ( hoping to get started on Monday) I'll be setting both engines and transmissions on my workbench. Much easier to work on when you're not hunched over or chasing a swinging engine. I'll be installing a new timing belt and water pump/thermostat while I have the engine out as well. Just seems like the right time to do it.

will the starter from the mk2 bolt onto the mk1? I have a brand new one in the box dying for a place to go.

Debating on a new clutch while I have the trans seperated from the engine. But the clutch was relatively new in the Golf before it gave up the ghost.

timing belt/tensioner/pump/stat is a GREAT idea while the engine is out.

starter, absolutely.. its bolted to the mk2 trans already, so its not going to care what engine its bolted to..

as for the clutch, i would check out the one from the golf before i bought a new one. just to find out that the golf clutch was just fine all along..

[vanagonturbo]

If you are doing the timing belt and such, do the radial seals and intermediate shaft oring while you are in there.