help me retroride kenobi you're my only hope! vw engine hell

[hairydave]

A few months ago, i decided that it would be much easier to put my untouched for 7 years scirocco back on the road than to just sort some minor bits on my civic. I am an idiot. much swearing, spannering, sobbing and cash later, i had a car that sort of ran. it didn't really idle, and would play up, and was dog slow, but it ran. turns out, the problem was the head gasket wasn't sealing properly. that was because the block was cracked.

no worries, we'll fit a new block and put the spare head on. only, a refurbished 8v short block seems kinda pricey for 90hp, so we thought we'd drop in my 16v pl lump (kr on milder cams). now, the valver had been sat for a while, and had seized. no bother, we stripped it, took it to Lancaster engines for a head skim and rebore expecting to chuck new pistons in, paint it red and throw it in on dcoes...

noooo, it's already been bored, and 2nd oversize pistons for a kr aren't a thing anymore. so we get cunning, everyone overbores vw motors to 1.9 with audi pistons, we'll get them! wrong! nobody does those anymore for less than the price of forged pistons. not cheap.

So, does anyone know a good source of decent vw engines- eg, used them before etc. even if i wanted to, i couldn't use the engine shop right now as they're on holiday

or, does anyone know a good source of 82 or 83mm pistons for a vw kr?

I really wouldn't mind having my daily driver back, 58 plate Peugeots take a toll on ones mental health. 

[Rich]

Where in the country are you? (Sorry if I've missed it, I'm on the proboards app and it's a bit weak)
There is a KR engine here at work that would probably go again with a better head I imagine, it's beer money if you are in or around Bristol, come get it Thought I'd ask. (Got a 4 branch exhaust and webers too but they are not included unless you want to pay. But yea.)

[hairydave]

Hi Rich, I'm up in the grim wastes of lancaster, but could quite happily travel. Do you know if the engine has already been bored? I've already got a set of first oversize pistons in, so even if it's a bit ropey it may well we a goer!
I do need a 4 branch as well... (got webers, first thing i bought ><)
Will give you a ping later this eve

[Rich]

Sept 19, 2014 9:06:49 GMT hairydave said:

Hi Rich, I'm up in the grim wastes of lancaster, but could quite happily travel. Do you know if the engine has already been bored? I've already got a set of first oversize pistons in, so even if it's a bit ropey it may well we a goer!
I do need a 4 branch as well... (got webers, first thing i bought ><)
Will give you a ping later this eve

I have no idea on bore but its probably standard. Colleague had it in his caddy truck before he fitted a 20vT. It's been outside a while so at the bare minimum the head is toast, but the block will probably go again with a hone BUT I haven't taken it apart to check. If you are having a block already rebored however, this could still work out ok provided this is on stock size pistons which I would expect it to be. Send us a message and we can try to sort something out.