Advice for first time rebuilder

[Flint]

I just picked up a 1981 2.0l engine that I would like to rebuild to replace my 1600CT engine in a 1980 Vanagon. The vehicle was imported from France after a couple used it to drive across Canada. Right now I think a model T would pass me on a hill. What I am wondering if I would be better going with 94mm or 96 mm cylinders also is stroking it a good Idea? what I am looking for is a vehicle that is safe able to keep up with a loaded semi on the hills Because my van is set up for the CT engine that was carbureted I will probably staying with a carb but not sure what is involved doing the conversion to FI.

The engine I picked up was told by the seller that it was rebuilt in 2002 and has about 40.000 miles on it. I did a check to see what the crankshaft end play was and with the seal still installed i was getting about 0.007 play. I think that this engine was run hard and it did not have a thermostat installed for the cooling.

Flint

[Amskeptic]

I just picked up a 1981 2.0l engine that I would like to rebuild to replace my 1600CT engine in a 1980 Vanagon. The vehicle was imported from France after a couple used it to drive across Canada. Right now I think a model T would pass me on a hill. What I am wondering if I would be better going with 94mm or 96 mm cylinders also is stroking it a good Idea? what I am looking for is a vehicle that is safe able to keep up with a loaded semi on the hills Because my van is set up for the CT engine that was carbureted I will probably staying with a carb but not sure what is involved doing the conversion to FI.

The engine I picked up was told by the seller that it was rebuilt in 2002 and has about 40.000 miles on it. I did a check to see what the crankshaft end play was and with the seal still installed i was getting about 0.007 play. I think that this engine was run hard and it did not have a thermostat installed for the cooling.

Flint

Do you have photographs of the 1600CT engine?

[Flint]

Hope this works . Here is a picture of the engine still installed.

Bill

[Amskeptic]

Hope this works . Here is a picture of the engine still installed.

Bill

Well that is a fascinating little thing in a Vanagon. What is the torque / horsepower of that thing?
Your 2.0 will be approximately 80 gross/ 67 net , with 101 ft-lbs torque.

[Flint]

Factory info says 50 HP and 77 foot pounds of torque, but that is probably optimistic. The transmissions gearing is suppose to give a top speed of 65mph at red line.

[Amskeptic]

Factory info says 50 HP and 77 foot pounds of torque, but that is probably optimistic. The transmissions gearing is suppose to give a top speed of 65mph at red line.

Nope. That is classic Type 1 engine output. They changed the specification in 1973, from gross to net. Your 50 net is actually 2-5 hp better than the last Type 1 buses which were 48 net / 60 hp gross.

As per all the top speed/redline protocols, your 65 mph is not at the redline but rather at the horsepower peak.
Colin