Author Topic: Hope you guys can help... (Read 4298 times)

CoriolisSTORM · « **on:** October 19, 2006, 07:41:32 pm »

Okay gentlemen, here goes. VWVortex has not been helpful, neither has TDI Club, or any other site I've visited so far. You all remember the 1970s Opel Ascona sedans right? Well I've got a 2 door orangish one thats setting here without an engine, and I'm thinking a VW diesel might be the answer. Do any of you guys know of anybody that has performed this swap? Nevermind the fact that its FWD and the Opel is RWD, I can fix that pretty easily. I am currently taking machining classes so I can hopefully make the adapter plate to fit a RWD tranny on it (or I have some friends that can help.) Anyway, how wide, long and tall are the older VW diesels? I'm thinking maybe one out of an old Rabbit or something. How are they on power and fuel economy? (I have neither right now in my 2.5L Jeep.) Any engine I should really consider? I dont really want to fool with all of the electronics on the modern TDIs and to a lesser extent the TDs. So, I kind of want one that's all mechanical. Is there anything I should look out for or any motor you would recommend above the others? I have a VW engine list setting in front of me from wikipedia right now. What I really need is the length width and heighth of the motor(s) so that I can see if it will fit in the Opel. The opel came with a 1.9L CIH engine from the factory with 88HP so it was not originally a speed demon either, but its a light fun car.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2006, 09:18:22 pm »

Here's what I know. A 1,6 non turbo weighs in at 250#. Any of the following are 100% mechanical and require the same amount of wiring
1.5NA
1.6NA
1.6TD
1.9NA
1.9TD
They are also all the same size (not sure about the 1.5)as the 1.9 is just a bored and stroked 1.6. The only differance is the turbo and associated parts

The 1.9TDs tend to have crankshaft failures if you don't keep an eye on them.

I have an engine out of my car so if no one gets you an answer by the weekend I'll go out there with my tape measure

CoriolisSTORM · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2006, 05:45:27 am »

Quote from: burn_your_money

Here's what I know. A 1,6 non turbo weighs in at 250#. Any of the following are 100% mechanical and require the same amount of wiring
1.5NA
1.6NA
1.6TD
1.9NA
1.9TD
They are also all the same size (not sure about the 1.5)as the 1.9 is just a bored and stroked 1.6. The only differance is the turbo and associated parts

The 1.9TDs tend to have crankshaft failures if you don't keep an eye on them.

I have an engine out of my car so if no one gets you an answer by the weekend I'll go out there with my tape measure

Hmm, if that's the case then, it'll turn into what I can afford and what I can find. Thank you very much for your help. The 1.9L sounds the best so far. I have a friend with a 1.9L TDI Jetta that is a blast to drive! I love that car. Even though these engines dont put out as much, they should still make for a fun, economical, and reliable vehicle I think. What causes a crankshaft failure on the TDs? I had a buddy that lost the crankshaft on his 4.0L Jeep motor a few months ago, and it wasn't pretty.

Slave2School · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2006, 11:13:09 am »

The Keyway that holds the crank pully on fails if the bolt that holds it in there isn't installed 100% correctly every time/old age I'm guessing. The shop I go to gets about 1-2 of them in a month like that

burn_your_money · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2006, 04:08:40 pm »

The TDIs are differant then the 1.9s I listed. TDIs are direct injection while the ones I listed are indirect. I'm not sure how the size varies with the 1.9 TDIs. TDIs require intensive amounts of wiring unless you convert them to TDIm (m for mechanical)

CoriolisSTORM · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2006, 04:27:02 pm »

Yep, which is why the TDIs are not really an option for me. What motor would YOU recommend?

burn_your_money · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2006, 04:30:28 pm »

I'd recommend a 1.6TD; I have 3 of them. They are super easy to find up here and are on the cheaper side. They seem to be less problemmatic and they are also higher reving then the 1.9s.

CoriolisSTORM · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2006, 05:04:34 pm »

Thats what I was thinking. Looks like a kind of fun engine. How are they performance wise? Is it gonna be like my jeep where it always seems like the dude on the bicycle in the left lane accelerates better than me? Are these applications correct?

Quote

1980-92 VW Jetta, Golf, Rabbit and Passat/Dasher

edit: before I forget, the new low sulphur diesel formula that is coming out soon is bad for these engines right? And do these use a timing belt or chain? That seems to be the only problem I've ever heard about the VW diesels.

jtanguay · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2006, 05:08:52 pm »

might as well get your injection pump re-done with good ULSD protection. the pump will last the life of your car if you use a good diesel additive.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2006, 06:01:12 pm »

It's a timing belt. Some say the new fuel is bad, some say it isn't. Use a lubricant just for extra protection. The major problem associated with the new fuel is it dries out old seals causing leaks

jtanguay · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:19:42 pm »

i've used diesel additive ever since I bought it. the leak is soooo bad

i've never ran the pump dry either.

maybe its just my luck though?

CoriolisSTORM · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2006, 04:43:43 pm »

Well its either a 1.6TD or a 1.9L TDI. How hard are they to convert over to mTDI? Or how many sensors and how much wiring is involved for a normal TDI? Just several sensors that have to be mounted to the exhaust and intake (and maybe the tranny?) right?

CoriolisSTORM · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2006, 06:55:14 pm »

Any measurements on the 1.6L TDs gentlemen? Sorry to keep bothering you all.