Is this a good price for a 2 liter case??

[mikey]

I found a guy selling a 2.0 liter case for $120. Is this a good price. It has been fully cleaned and degreased. Is there anything in particular that I should inspect on the case??
Thanks.....

[JP Noonan]

Roughly speaking T4 cases are pretty stout, the rarly (I'm told) need line boring. Unless the case was severly overheated or a bearing spun. Look for signs of either of these, the overheating is hard to see on a cleaned case but if there is anything more than discoloration in the main journels the case probably needs line bore. A quick test is to put a known good/straight cam in with bearings, bolt the motor together without the crank or lifters and see if the cam turns easy. If it does, then the case is probably straight enough.


Another problem is seam leaks. Look at the mating surfaces between the case, there should be no nicks or gouges. If there are then mostly likly the last person to tear down the block missed one or two bolts and tried to pry the case apart. A common (don't ask) mistake. Some of the bolts are hidden under dirt and there are some behind the flywheel.

Make sure it a 914 case, look not just at the case number (GA GB or GC) but see if the dipstick tube is in the right place.

Unless the case has been checked over by a machinist or they are rare in you area $120 is a little much for just a case. All T4 cases are the same except the early 1.7L didn't have a windage tray and the dipstick and filler tube differences on buses. The cases after 79 are of no use because the oil breather is cast over.

The PO of my car bought a 77 bus 2.0L complete engine (fan, alt, most of the F.I., tin) for $225 in Miami. The 2.0L crank and rods are the difficult things (realatively difficult) to find,cases are pretty common. I have also seen 914 2.0L blocks go for $500-$1000 because the 914 heads are so rare. It all depends on how bad you need it.