1980 Caddy and 1986 Jetta - got some questions

[rmcard]

I have two projects I'm working on right now, first is a 1980 gas Rabbit Caddy that I've taken down to the shell and plan to re-install a diesel plus a 1986 Diesel Jetta that I'm pulling the motor out to either rebuild or replace.

My first question is regarding my caddy,  will I have too much trouble trying to reuse the gas fuel tank for my diesel conversion??  I don't think I'll need any of the evaporative lines or canisters but it'd be nice to find a piping schematic from someone who already has done it and knows what he's doing.  Secondly, I have a 1982 1.6 diesel out of a rrabbit plus a circa 1990 or 1991 1.6 diesel that we bought to either use on the caddy or replace the beat to death 1.6 in the 1986 Jetta. Is there much difference in any of these engines as far as power or dependability that would sway my decision for which one to install.  Keep in mind whatever later model 1.6 diesel that is not used in the Jetta will be available for me to use in the Caddy. Someone that is also on this site suggested I look for a 1.6 or 1.9 mk2 or mk3 turbodiesel, but me wanting ironclad reliability I'd only be swayed in that direction if they would actually get better mileage than the naturally aspirated ones that I have.

Now about the 1986 Jetta, me being not too familiar with these cars I'm not sure if that's a mk1 or mk2 but I'm thinking it's a mk2.  Am I going to have any problems attempting to install a 1990/1991 motor into that 1986 Jetta either motor mount or transmission wise?

Thanks for any input.

[8v-of-fury]

1975-1984 is mk1, most parts interchangeable with each other with regards to very early rabbits. Engines from 1975-1999 will physically work in these but it requires specific mk1 mounts, which do mount on to any of the engines until 1999.

1985-1992 is mk2, all parts engine and tranny wise are 100% interchangeable with other mk2.

1993-1999.5 is mk3, most of these parts (engine for 100% is usable in mk2 with no issue of actual mounting) are mk2 compatible.

All of the post-1981 diesel engines are basically the same and unchanged until 1993. When the 1.9 TD came out, if you can.. I'd honestly find one of the the mk3 1.9 AAZ TD's as they are by far superior in terms of reliability and power.

Right now I have a 98 mk3 engine, with a 86 mk2 transmission in my 84 mk1. All with completely stock OEM parts. It is all possible

[CRSMP5]

desel wiriing cake.... coil power wire powers fuel pump..... add glowplug circuit.. way too many ways for this... temp/oil wires same...

gas and diesel tank same.... caddy is caddy only..

[rmcard]

Ahh, but the BIG question is whether or not the 1.9 AAZ Turbo Diesel would get me close to the 45 to 50 MPG I'm hoping for!

[rmcard]

Also as far as the engine goes, I want something that is completely mechanical... i.e. no computer or electronics needed to keep it running so I can still outrun any zombies after an EMP attack.

[scrounger]

Like you, one of the reasons that I like my 1.6TD is the lack of computer. I am almost tempted to put a manual choke on it rather than having to require the battery be functional to kill it.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Like you, one of the reasons that I like my 1.6TD is the lack of computer. I am almost tempted to put a manual choke on it rather than having to require the battery be functional to kill it.

battery is required for it to run, you TAKE VOLTAGE AWAY to kill it..

gotta change your pump top if you want a shut down cable..

it needs to have a manual kill lever for you to be able to do that.

you could change to a marine style shut off solenoid.. they take power to CLOSE them, not open them..

you can run the engine with NO POWER AT ALL.. but you need power to shut it off, or a clutch to dump..

stock VW units need POWER to run the engine.. take power away, engine stops.. marine is opposite..

[scrounger]

Thanks for responding, that is what I was trying to describe. A choke to stop the engine like my diesel tractor has, the Military trucks we used to have were the same.   Pull the choke out and the engine doesn't get enough air to compress and gradually dies over maybe a second or two.

Basically cut off the air. I have casually looked at the VW air intake but have not analyzed where the solenoid is or even if it has one.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Thanks for responding, that is what I was trying to describe. A choke to stop the engine like my diesel tractor has, the Military trucks we used to have were the same.   Pull the choke out and the engine doesn't get enough air to compress and gradually dies over maybe a second or two.

Basically cut off the air. I have casually looked at the VW air intake but have not analyzed where the solenoid is or even if it has one.

it doesnt cut the air, it severely reduces the fuel..

those cables are attached to the injection pump on a diesel..

[scrounger]

Hi again, Actually my tractor has a choke. Must be unlike the VW. Sorry for topic drift.

[8v-of-fury]

Hi again, Actually my tractor has a choke. Must be unlike the VW. Sorry for topic drift.

What kind of tractor is it? Most diesel fuel pumps use a mechanical fuel shut off. Interesting they used an air choke instead.

To the OP. No reason an AAZ will not get those figures with the right driving and transmission. Even the later TDI engines (up to 2004 for sure 100%) can be run fully mechanically, with no use of computer or anything but the 12V cut off solenoid.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Hi again, Actually my tractor has a choke. Must be unlike the VW. Sorry for topic drift.

What kind of tractor is it? Most diesel fuel pumps use a mechanical fuel shut off. Interesting they used an air choke instead.

To the OP. No reason an AAZ will not get those figures with the right driving and transmission. Even the later TDI engines (up to 2004 for sure 100%) can be run fully mechanically, with no use of computer or anything but the 12V cut off solenoid.

every REAL detroit diesel has an air choke plate.. it sits directly above the supercharger, and it is spring loaded. you pull the lever, and it slams the door shut on top of the supercharger.. ive heard that you have to re-seal the supercharger if you shut down with this method..