1.6td vs AAZ in a 1982 Vanagon

[homerj1]

Hey folks, haven't posted here in a long while.

I bought a 1982 Vanagon last year & have just refurbished the front & rear suspensions. It came with a 1.6na from the factory, it currently has a non running AAZ leaking IP with I think a blown turbo
Do I rebuild\refresh the AAZ or a 1.6td ? I have a few 1.6tds and at least a 1 AAZ block.
I do have some $$ restraints so I want to make the engine reliable & increase the performance of the engine I install. (Fuel screw, intercooler & egt)

Any help would be appreciate!

Thanks

[RabbitJockey]

i would test the engine compression, and stay with the aaz in it if its good or if you're going to spend money rebuilding something i'd do another aaz.

if you're lucky you can get away with a turbo and pump rebuild

[homerj1]

Other then the increase in displacement, can you suggest why, as I've been reading the 1.6td was more reliable?
Thanks

[fatmobile]

The AAZ isn't much different than the 1.6.
 Both are IDI and have external waterpump, along with intermediate shafts that run the oil and vacuum pumps.

 The vanagon is a pretty big vehicle and the extra power of the 1.9 would make it more driveable.

[RabbitJockey]

aaz has two weak points that are easily resolved. one is the crank sprocket, you can have your crank machined to work with a tdi crank sprocket to resolve this. I also think if you used older vbelt accessories or a clutched alternator then you won't have an issue as long as you install a new bolt and torque to spec properly. Most important thing here is to install a new bolt and torque it to spec properly because who knows what the last person did.

They also seem to break main caps. I do not have all the knowledge on this but i believe certain years of the aaz had different or shorter main bolts which causes this issue. This is easily resolved by using ARP main studs.

otherwise it's basically the same as a 1.6 but with more displacement and more power.

[RabbitJockey]

Also, i thought i recognized your username Aivars. I am Travis who drove from the USA and bought two aaz engines from you about 10 years ago. I hope you're doing well.

[fatmobile]

Good points Rabbit Jockey.
 The later 1.6D has the same style crank timing sprocket key.
 And I have seen them give way on the 1.6 even with the v-belt setup.
 The serpentine belt setup makes it worse because when you decelerate,
 the alternator momentum can try to rotate the crank because the serpentine belt grabs the belt harder.
 Whereas the v-belt can allow a little slip.

 Later serpentine belt setups have an alternator pully that ratchets so it can't drive the crank sprocket backwards.
 It only grabs in one direction.

 I do have a tool for putting the flat spot on the crank nose while it's still in the car.
So it will work with the AHU, TDI, "D" style crank sprocket.

[homerj1]

PMed you!