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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: amgraves on October 31, 2009, 08:03:45 pm

Title: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: amgraves on October 31, 2009, 08:03:45 pm

Greetings,
    I have purchased a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta turbo diesel for a fixer upper that was plagued with electrical problems. The car just recently had the cylinder head replaced and it appears to me that they stuck a mechanical head on a hydraulic bloc. The head that is on the engine does not have the two bulges on the front, but the block does. The engine runs well with this setup. Do I need to start looking for a hydraulic head or will this thing last like it is? It appears that the drain back hole is blocked by the head gasket. Anyone ever seen this?

Aaron

Title: Re: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: maxfax on November 02, 2009, 12:21:31 am

Can't say that I have personally seen this, but if it's working, and not leaking oil, run it!!   ;D

Title: Re: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: amgraves on November 02, 2009, 05:45:35 am

The engine is running really well. I think I will run it and see what happens. Besides, it was a jack leg that did all the work on the car and he could never get all the electrical stuff working properly. I got the car for a song and have spent many hours getting the electrical in order only to find the incorrect head on the block. I will start looking for the correct head as I would like to keep the car as the body and interior is an really good condition. I have also researched and found that the turbo head is different than the non turbo head. Any suggestions as to a good head manufacturer?

Aaron

Title: Re: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: Kantdrivefast on November 02, 2009, 04:50:48 pm

Running a mech head on a hydro block myself...

Dont worry about it.

Title: Re: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: amgraves on November 03, 2009, 08:58:11 am

Thanks, will do.

Title: Re: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: rs899 on November 03, 2009, 09:24:54 am

Won't hurt a thing  but you will , of course, need to do all the mechanical head upkeep.  Find yourself a supply of hockey pucks and the correct tooth extractors and tongue depressor when you need to service the valves. ;D

Rick

Title: Re: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: ODwyerPW on November 03, 2009, 09:29:34 pm

you need to contact VWSmokr...

he has peanut butter in his chocolate

and you have chocolate in your peanut butter

while don't you both just swap heads?

Title: Re: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: maxfax on November 04, 2009, 12:47:42 am

You crazy kids with the mech head on the hydro block, I assume you have the mech head gasket as well??   Kantdrivefast, is your second oil return plugged with anything or just the gasket?  Any sealer on the gasket in that area??
Just curious as amgraves mentioned that the gasekt seems to be sealing his up...

Title: Re: Mechanical head on hydraulic block?
Post by: Kantdrivefast on November 04, 2009, 09:55:59 am

Quote from: maxfax on November 04, 2009, 12:47:42 am

You crazy kids with the mech head on the hydro block, I assume you have the mech head gasket as well??   Kantdrivefast, is your second oil return plugged with anything or just the gasket?  Any sealer on the gasket in that area??
Just curious as amgraves mentioned that the gasekt seems to be sealing his up...

Yes it is just the gasket covering the oil return. the one issue with this setup is that you have to drill and tap a coolant hole in the head that happens to be just above the oil return. I have a 1.9 metal headgasket and arp studs.