1600cc head question

[BRimpossible]

I have a 1.5L engine block with a bad 1.5 head. I bought a rebuilt one from parts placeinc assuming this engine was an 1.6 11mm. I was wrong so now i have 1.6 head 11mm with 1.5 engine block which will not work. The engine is pretty much toasted so I'm searching for 1.6 short block. The question is will 1.6 11mm head work fine with 1.6 short block that has 12mm? Don't really want to go thru the hassle of sending the rebuild head back... Thanks.

[vanbcguy]

Yes, you will have to drill out a couple of the 11mm head bolt holes and grind down some of the head bolt washers a bit but I've helped someone put an 11mm hydro head on a 12mm hydro block before.  You can mate up hydraulic and solid parts but that takes more work and I personally would avoid doing it unless you had no choice.  Search the forum here for details.

[Dakotakid]

And, it would be self-helpful for the original poster to start thinking in terms of "engine codes" to avoid hassles like this.

It's like in the 1960's....everybody rode a "Honda." As it turns out, a lot of those bikes were Suzuki's, Triumphs, BSA's......understand?
You are looking for a CR, JK, ME, etc.

[vanbcguy]

Only problem is the changeover in the engine codes didn't directly correspond with any of the major changes on the 1.6, did it?

[Dakotakid]

Well, yes. 12 mm engines are JK, CY, ME, MF, and, I still swear CR's were all 12 mm...although I had one guy say otherwise. I never saw proof of his claim...and he was a "new" guy.

CK may have started out as 11 then 12. The CR, JK, and CY's sure seem to have a slight amount more nickel in the cast as they hold a (lack-of) ridge much better than the seemingly butter-soft ME's. I think those even CAME pre-ridged! (juss kiddin').

[burn_your_money]

Yes, you will have to drill out a couple of the 11mm head bolt holes and grind down some of the head bolt washers a bit but I've helped someone put an 11mm hydro head on a 12mm hydro block before.  You can mate up hydraulic and solid parts but that takes more work and I personally would avoid doing it unless you had no choice.  Search the forum here for details.

11mm hydro heads never existed. 85.5 was the first year for the hydro engines and the 11mm stuff was long gone by then.

Well, yes. 12 mm engines are JK, CY, ME, MF, and, I still swear CR's were all 12 mm...although I had one guy say otherwise. I never saw proof of his claim...and he was a "new" guy.

CK may have started out as 11 then 12. The CR, JK, and CY's sure seem to have a slight amount more nickel in the cast as they hold a (lack-of) ridge much better than the seemingly butter-soft ME's. I think those even CAME pre-ridged! (juss kiddin').

The problem with engine codes is for example, ME is both hydro and solid lifter (IIRC).

[vanbcguy]

Ah I guess you're right, it was an '82 Vanagon so it would have been solid.