It's almost time to start on the ol' Rabbit again...

[MattRabbit]

My Rabbit has finally been pulled out of storage.  It's currently got a bunch of stuff piled on it, but once I get my garage situation sorted out, I can start getting the Rabbit ready to actually drive here and there.

I do have a question for the forum members though:

My Rabbit has never had any power.  It's always been a sluggish beast that can barely go 60 mph.  It seems to do really well in 1st and 2nd gear, but when I start hitting 3rd/4th, it just runs out of steam.  At one point, I put new rings on it (one of them broke!), and my mileage improved/smoke diminished a lot, but I still just don't have much power.

here's the thing:  The head has never ever ever been worked on. 

What should I start with on the head?  I've done tons of engine work, but never head work before.  Is there anything I can do without removing it?  I don't even think it's had valve clearances checked in decades!

[DieselBalz]

Do you mean sluggish, for a NA Rabbit Diesel? Casue they arent peppy out of the box. How long has it been in storage? Did ya do a complete flush of all fluids, change all filters, and give it a full belly of fresh diesel?

Good to see another central florida diesel dubber. Got pics?

[ORCoaster]

I would be checking the clearances on those shims on the cams to see if you even have a problem. Number of miles on said head is ? 

You can do a pressure and leak down test with the head on as well to see if you have losses in either direction without pulling the head as well.  But you will need an adapter for the injector you take out to do those tests.  It should come with the compression check kit if you go that way buying equipment.  Otherwise it is an accessory specific for VWs.  Not all have the same shape or volume replacement in the swirl chamber.

[8v-of-fury]

a stock pump on the na and that FF tranny will never EVER be quick in any gear other than 1 and 2.

The pump is the problem, You won't make enough power from the non turbo to worry about head work.

The valve shims should be looked at regardless.

The pump needs tuning! GOVERNOR MODIFICATION!

[mystery3]

I agree with 8v but OP said it could barely do 60mph, I should think if the motor is reasonably healthy you shouldn't hit that wall until 70 or higher. If the car has been sitting for a long time I'd run some diesel purge, have the injectors serviced and check everything else, valves, compression, timing etc. as well as install new belts.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

Probably needs the Inj Pump timing specs reset correctly.
(per 60 mph)
I wouldn't touch anything else mechanically (nuts and bolts) until that is verified.

Tranny code stamped on bottom flat will reveal its potential.
Most of the 4 speeds had short legs, but you might get lucky.
Does the shift knob have a 4 - or an E ?

Larger exhaust pipe is #1 upgrade for speed/performance.
Its virtually a requirement on an NA Rabbit.
From there you can enhance more with adjustments.

[lovinthedeez]

Is this the green four door you had before?

[MattRabbit]

@lovinthedeez:  yep, same green 4-door.  The green beast lives...

@Baron:  It's a GC code 4-speed.  AKA:  It sucks.  I have an FN tranny in the trunk.  That isn't too good a place for it, is it?

@mystery3:  I can get it to 70 if I have a nice long downhill area to go in.  it'll do 60 fairly comfortably.  Now that I live at sea level, it may do a little more.  I haven't been able to try it out yet.

@8v:  I had the pump completely resealed and checked out a few years ago by a bosch shop.  They replaced a few parts internally that were wearing improperly.  It cut down on smoke a bunch, but power was still pretty weak.

@ORCoaster:  318K miles +.  The odo was broken for a year.  The head has never had anything done to it.  Ever.  And it's not even warped!  I have had it off a few times.  Once to do a ring job and once for a head gasket that I messed up on when I did the ring job (live and learn!).    I have a compression checker, but I haven't checked it in ages.  I do know it would start in -15F weather pretty easily in CO.

@DieselBalz:  It's really really wimpy.  BTW, when I went to get it out of storage, it had been sitting for 2 years.  I threw a new battery in it, and BANG, started right up like it had been sitting for a day.  Really impressive.  The belt was new when I parked it.  The injectors have never been changed either.  It's probably time for those as well.  There are TONS of pics at my website:  http://matt_lisa.home.sprynet.com/

I think that's everyone.  Whew! 

[lovinthedeez]

you know when you like vw's so much you could follow one from CO to FL   (From the vortex years ago, I had the two door version, yet mine was much nastier