Hi guys. Here's the continuation of the 1972 bug saga:

I just got off the phone to the mechanic who has solved the problem with timing issues (the points were almost completely closed because the screw had threaded its self?). The problem now is that he found bad news in the oil strainer at the bottom of the sump: significant sized pieces of aluminium which indicate something important broken in the internals. He just rang to let me know that he's worried about continuing because it could get expensive just to find the problem and then that could turn out to be irredeemable anyway.

He said a complete engine rebuild could cost about $2,400

So we're in a fix:
Do we rebuild the existing engine, or
Do we buy a second hand engine, or
Do we do the unthinkable and say goodnight to 'elmo' and invest in a new car?

I personally don't want to get rid of her but then there is a point where we have to think about economics unfortunately.

What do people think? We don't have much money at the moment so the cheapest option would be the best in some ways, but i don't want a bandaid solution that's going to cost more in the long run.

thanks for any help/advice people can offer.

Hmmm....if it were me I would be looking for a second hand engine which is known to be OK and leaving the rest of the $$$$ in the bank..

Look around

I just sold a long block that was a great runner with excellent endplay for $200 to a mate.

This is the second one in a year i have sold.

Not rubbing it in - just leting you know they are out there.

Sorry - i dont have another at the moment.

Well we went for the rebuild option. The mechanic started it again this morning and said that the timing was out of whack again so he's thinking that one of the cam gears might have sheered teeth or something which would account for the metal in the sump grate. I'm hoping gthis could be a much cheaper prospect than pistons or the case replacement (assuming there's no damage to piston heads, valves, crank.... I don't want to think about it!). So we're sort of taking a gamble on the engine being ok. We toyed with the idea of a second hand engine but decided the "better the devil you know" philosophy was more sound.

I'm just glad there haven't been any tearful goodbyes yet:thumb

fingers crossed

ive had the same problem with my timing moving like that. I would be interested to know what was wrong
marcel

i'll keep you posted. The mechanic's pulling everything apart today and tomorrow so it shouldn't take long. I may be grumpy when i find out though :thumb

I just heard from the mechanic: worst fears realised. It appears that I was right about the engine (doh) and somehow a foreign object got into the piston chamber and gouged the crap out of the block, the crank shaft, the pistons, caused one of the pistons to slam into the heads and so much other fun stuff I don't even want to think about! Short answer: the whole thing's absolutely stuffed. The only serviceable things left are the externals.

So I guess a rebuild is out of the question:cussing

A complete new setup would now end up costing 3.5-4k (including the labour already done) and there's no guarantee that something else wouldn't go wrong with the poor thing (brakes, suspension etc.). So my girlfriend and I are now fighting over whether the car should just live under a tarp as a project when we have more money (her option), or we find a replacement engine (mine).

So if anyone has any opinions or parts to offer or sell (parts, not opinions:thumb) please let me know. I would love to keep her on the road.

just find a nice 2nd hand motor, if u had enough cash for a rebuild spend like $400 and find a nice 2nd hand one, use it for a while and rebuild it later if u want. u see plenty of them on here for sale. good luck, just dont put it under a tarp.

unless it's worked or a show piece with matching no..or holds centimental vaule.

dont waste your money or time rebuilding it...


http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=25607 

[Edited on 12-7-2004 by dakdat buggy]

Hey ruckus i have a completely rebuilt 1600 twin port motor for sale u may have seen my post in the parts for sale section....

sothern cross you have a u2u

hey hey!
Seems today is a good day!
Mechanic just found a twin port 1600 block and crank etc. and said that most of the parts are on sale so the rebuild is back on and cheaper than ever. We're now looking at 2-2.5k including all labour and some other little things we had done.

Yay!

Thanks to everyone who helped out, and even dakdat buggy for advising me to chill out :thumb

Looks like elmo'll be back on the road soon