Rebuild Myself? - Engine Dilemma

vesnyder · vesnyder's Garage

I am in the process of restoring a '73 1.7 that is getting close cosmetically but mechanically still has a long way to go, but would liek some opinions on what I should do about my motor? I current have a 1.7 in the car that is leaking and blowing smoke, but seems to run strong, so I am not in a hurry to do anything but a replacement/rebuild is inevitable. I also have another 1.8 removed from a '74 that has about 90k on it. I plan on primarily using the car for spirited Sun driving with the occasional DE and Auto-x. I am a novice motor guy but would consider trying to rebuild the engine myself, particularly since there is no hurry. What is the price difference between rebuilding myself and having a pro do it? If I were to do it myself I would need a complete recipe! What do you recommend?

Here is the latest progress ...

Headrage · 11-18-2005, 02:25 PM

I rebuilt mine by myself except for the machine work. I think the total receipts for the motor was around $2200.00 including the head, case and crank work. If you're not in a hurry and have the room you could snag deals as they become available and slowly amass the parts you need or you could go with one of Jake's kits.

M. Hendrix · 11-18-2005, 02:59 PM

Great color, Vance.

If I had that car, I'd put chromed steels, and crested caps on it.. rock.

M

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

I would have to agree with that! Damn I hate the look of Riv's.

GWN7 · 11-19-2005, 03:08 PM

The Riv's always look like they need a baby moon center cap to finish them off............

Personal opinion only....if it's what you got drive them

zumwoll · 11-20-2005, 07:35 PM

I like the wheels although I agrree the center s look unfinished. As to motor, perhaps I was lucky but i have built two motors and the feet of engine builders. I just called around and explained the fact that I am ORF (old retired fart) and was on a budget. I paid one guy $500 plus parts to guide me thru the process. The other was more cause I used his tools,shop etc. It is not rocket science but I am glad I did not try to do it my self. BTW, I have built rice burners and AmIron but Porsceh tolerances are a little trickier. Hope this helps.

M. Hendrix · 11-20-2005, 09:43 PM

I'd look for a decent low mile 2.0 that someone from .... somewhere would be removing for a /6.. 4 hours, and back on the road.. limited down time, and wooohoo!

M

jamcleod · jamcleod's Garage

this is what this CSOB (there are many among the 914 owners!) did to 2 motors. this is also probably NOT the best way to do it and i hope i don't get too much of Jakes wrath but anyway.....
my first motor was an '81 vanagon. it dropped a valve seat and i rebuilt it all the way down to the crank. i rebuilt it following tom wilsons book, the haynes and other typeIV references. the next motor was a 914 2.0L. i took it down to a short block, had the p&c's honed, valve job on heads and built it back up. ran very good. the next was a 1.8L w/60k miles. did the same thing: short block, hone, valve job. runs very good. so...... depending on how many miles are on the 1.7 and if you can take an educated guess at the condition of the internals; this is the gamble: weak bottom end will be soon to fail with a rebuilt top end. anyway, my plan was to get the car back on the road so i could drive it and it wasn't like i didn't have a couple of 2L's in the basement that i could do the right way if the rebuilt motor failed. my bill was in the order of $600 for machine shop services, few new parts, refinishing engine tin (powdercoating looks GREAT!). then you could drive it while you look for a 2L.