QLD: Noisy rattling MK2 engine / Intro into the MK2 scene.

[blis]

looking at your bonnet I see a lot of oil thrown up from the belts, donk is not happy!

Ive also got a 1990 almost identical and Im in brisbane with the ABF conversion. While I love the ABF, I'd be looking at a more modern engine with parts availability, perhaps a 1.8T 20v or similar. There's very few mechanics that wanted to touch ours as is the case with most older hobby cars, so there's a lot of decisions ahead of you.

If I were to plan the engine swap, I'd be doing my steering, arms and suspension bushes etc, also transmission, clutches, gear shift, mounts and CVs which I found readily available at an Archerfield distributor. Id check heater matrix replacement, A/C options (you are in brisbane), also give the electrics and wiring a complete overhaul, under dash and create a good common grounding of the various ground wires. Have a look at lights while its all out too. Brakes are soft on ours and if you wanted an upgrade there are a few options out there, just make sure you research and get the right combination before you go that way.

I spend a lot of time at KMJ sumner park for parts from MK3s if you need the odd bits and pieces, the rest of the parts I get from VWheritage, VWspares and AVS in the UK.

I try sourcing parts here but it often ends up in the too hard basket,. There's a EURO shop in Byron that seems to know what they are dealing with if u need a specialist.

Ive just given our wiring some love and attention as I was to swap the CPS and it's behind the front engine mount. So I gave the wiring a good look and there's still room for improvement and its purring nicely. Next thing is to supply the CPS with 5V, not 12V and see if that helps, there's mention that the CPS sensors are gettind fried by 12V supply.

[Salkow]

looking at your bonnet I see a lot of oil thrown up from the belts, donk is not happy!

Ive also got a 1990 almost identical and Im in brisbane with the ABF conversion. While I love the ABF, I'd be looking at a more modern engine with parts availability, perhaps a 1.8T 20v or similar. There's very few mechanics that wanted to touch ours as is the case with most older hobby cars, so there's a lot of decisions ahead of you.

If I were to plan the engine swap, I'd be doing my steering, arms and suspension bushes etc, also transmission, clutches, gear shift, mounts and CVs which I found readily available at an Archerfield distributor. Id check heater matrix replacement, A/C options (you are in brisbane), also give the electrics and wiring a complete overhaul, under dash and create a good common grounding of the various ground wires. Have a look at lights while its all out too. Brakes are soft on ours and if you wanted an upgrade there are a few options out there, just make sure you research and get the right combination before you go that way.

I spend a lot of time at KMJ sumner park for parts from MK3s if you need the odd bits and pieces, the rest of the parts I get from VWheritage, VWspares and AVS in the UK.

I try sourcing parts here but it often ends up in the too hard basket,. There's a EURO shop in Byron that seems to know what they are dealing with if u need a specialist.

Ive just given our wiring some love and attention as I was to swap the CPS and it's behind the front engine mount. So I gave the wiring a good look and there's still room for improvement and its purring nicely. Next thing is to supply the CPS with 5V, not 12V and see if that helps, there's mention that the CPS sensors are gettind fried by 12V supply.

Yeah she's not happy at all mate! Glad to hear there's another MK2 floating around Brisbane! Very rare sighting thats for sure.. Tipping you're on the south side though? Your engine bay looks like its coming together nicely hey, and thanks for the piece of mind really appreciate it! Yep i have used vwheritage already and they're definitely helpful and rather quick.

Don't worry i have done my homework and read countless hours into the 1.8T, 2.0 and vr6 options.. I just don't have the time due to this little one being my daily nor the knowledge in achieving and doing so. As for putting into a shop to do that would cost absolute bucket loads and don't really have the option of that due to debts and general living.
I'm happy with the little 8v auto at the minute using it for commuting in a fashionable way haha I am lucky enough to have made an encounter one day as i was working on it out the front, a english gentleman pulled up in a BMW 2002 and got out and was baffled and loved mine. Turned out he is a mechanic that works at the top of my street at a Jaguar mechanic shop and he has owned multiple variations of the MK2 and MK1. I have had pretty knowledgable chats with him and his input has been very helpful.. Thats why I'm going down the path of doing the head on this current 1.8 and other bits and pieces. Maybe in the future i'll look to a upgraded engine and what not but for now just cosmetics and daily use.