I've a old mk2 1.6 TD. I have to replace the valve stems and seals. If you were rebuilding a head what other parts would you replace and where would you get them? I'm located in Canada.
I would buff the pre-combustion chamber inserts to a shine and replace any with any of the common small cracks. The inserts are hard to find but I got some new ones from the UK a few years ago.
I would replace the valve guides, valves, and valve stem seals.
I would ream the guides and hand-lap the valves to the seats. I would hand-lap the head gasket surface.
Thanks.
Anyone aware of an any online tutorials on replacing the valve stems, seals, etc. for a 1.6? I can't seem to find any. While I trust it's in the old Bentley manual sometimes videos/write-ups offer some unique, inside perspective.
There are some things that take special equipment and you generally can't do it at home. Those with a big press can but I don't so I have to have the machine shop press in the valve guides and then they can do the valves and valve seals. I have them do the deck anyway so it is just a bit more to set it up right. I have lots of tools but some I lack and will never have room for. Pay the shop.
I got the 7mm and 8mm drivers for valve guides and use an air hammer. You can also get the hand version to either hammer or use with a press. In either case, guides are easy to press out/in. The reamers are a bit expensive, but also easy to do. I don't have seat cutting capability but the seats are usually totally fine and a light hand-lapping cleans up the valve/seat sealing surface really nicely. I think it was probably less expensive for the first head I redid even counting the tool purchases. Now it is only parts and time and it is all stuff I enjoy doing.
If I had a small business of rebuilding/restoring VW's like I once thought about I would grab said tools you mention and build a garage. I have been trying to sell a very nice Rabbit for the last several months and I haven't heard a real interested person wanting to look at it yet. No one wants to be tied to an old car these days. So I am keeping it for now even though I don't need it anymore. So my idea of keeping the older cars on the road and running well sort of went out the window for now.
Thank you for the responses. It's appreciated.