Gonna get a new engine.

[bananacustard]

I'm going to change the engine in my bus very soon. Was thinking of going back to stock single port but am seriously considering a new Mexican twin port. I've only heard good things about these. Anyone had one of these and how's it been? And-where's the best place to get one?

 

[fredster]

Do you and your bus the biggest favour its ever had and buy a decent 1776 engine off Laurie Pettit. Mexi or recon remtec/vege engines seem to be a bit of a lottery these days regarding build quality. Get Laurie to do you a nice one and you'll have 100,000 miles of trouble free motoring ahead of you. His prices are fair given his reputation, go on VZi and try and find one person with a bad word to say about his work...

The stock 1600 engine, single or twin port is woefully underpowered for a bus, you won't realise just how underpowered they are until you drive a twin-carbed 1776 (or bigger) engine with a nice cam.

 

[bananacustard]

Unfortunately I think an LP 1776 is a bit beyond my budget. I'm sure he builds excellent engines and I've never heard any bad press about his engines but I just don't have enough money to go down this route. The mexican engines seem to have gone up a lot in price as well so the current engine I'm considering is the TES super green 1600 (new crankcase, new cylinder heads etc). I've read a fair bit of positive comment about these engines and I've recently had a TES engine (they rebuilt my original unit) in my Fastback which has been excellent and which I drove down to South Germany and back in September with no problems at all.
I wish money was no object but I do have a fairly tight budget.

Don't suppose you still have your 1745 stroker for sale Fredster?

 

[noddy]

Not sure if its the sort of info your looking for, Ive had two engines from Remtec in the last two years first one went after about 2K in the middle of France. Sent it back to remtec turns out it had broken the crank in two.

They replaced it no questions asked this engines been in for the best part of 2 years and so far so good.

So I think the comment about the remtec lottery is well founded, first engine from them never seemed right from day one.

 

[Mike F]

Jeremy - my new standard Mexican is superb, can't say enough good about it.

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

I'm going to change the engine in my bus very soon. Was thinking of going back to stock single port but am seriously considering a new Mexican twin port. I've only heard good things about these. Anyone had one of these and how's it been? And-where's the best place to get one?

Whats up with your engine at the moment? Why not get it rebuilt?

 

[Ferg]

I've recently been though this decision.
I was fully intending to go Mexi, until a friend who works for a 'well known VW specialist' told me that VW intend closing the Mexican plant and the engines coming out these days are not as good as previously and more expensive. Certainly his was under £800 and I couldn't get near it...

Internet 'research' showed that every 'recon' shop had issues with RemTec looking worst, (although they sell a lot I suppose..) so in the end I bought one from Richard at AirSpeed Uk near Bournemouth. Pretty much all new but the heads for under £1000. Delivered for £50. 'Anytime you like' advice line!!

 

[ZedBed]

I'm going to change the engine in my bus very soon. Was thinking of going back to stock single port but am seriously considering a new Mexican twin port. I've only heard good things about these. Anyone had one of these and how's it been? And-where's the best place to get one?

Whats up with your engine at the moment? Why not get it rebuilt?

What he said ^. What's the reason? Top end, bottom end, or both?

 

[bananacustard]

The engine in it is not the original otherwise I would consider getting it rebuilt. It's an old recon gold engine so it has been rebuilt at least once before. I want a long term engine so ideally new heads, new crankcase. I wouldn't get this with the old engine. Oh, and it burns oil, leaks oil and is completely gutless.

 

[froggy]

. Oh, and it burns oil, leaks oil and is completely gutless.

This will all be cured with a rebuild! do it yourself and the cost will be half that of a new engine

 

[bananacustard]

I'd love to have a go at rebuilding an engine but unfortunately my garage has an earth floor and no power and it definitely wont be allowed to happen on the kitchen table :? so for the meanwhile I have nowhere to do this. Also I'm a bit short of time to do this kind of thing. Maybe in the future, who knows?

 

[james_stan]

I've got a solid 1600 SP to sell if needed. It is a gold seal rebuild (possibly REMTEC) with about 10K miles on it. It needs a flywheel (so re-shimming) a dizzy and a dynamo apart from that it's pretty much turnkey. No end float when the flywheel was fitted. and a solid perfomer
until I replaced it with my 1776 TP. I have kept it for 'insurance' but I think it needs to find a home now. Let me know if your interested - not sure really what it's worth maybe 300 ?

Cheers

James

 

[bananacustard]

Definitely interested if it's a sound runner with no problems ( good compression, no oil leaks, no end float etc ). Also would you be up for sticking it on a pallet and sending it ( obviously I'd pay for this )? Send me a pm if you like.

cheers, Jeremy

 

[james_stan]

Yep. Was a good runner for sure no issues and regular oil changes. I just remembered I also robbed the heat exchangers from it too. Probably best if I get some pics for you so you can see all that's there - hopefully at the weekend.

Cheers

james

 

[bananacustard]

Some pictures would be great James if you get the chance.

cheers, Jeremy

 

[james_stan]

Jeremy

Carried it (with some help) outside to get these pics (cell-phone quality though I'm afraid) - been dry barn stored
for a year.

Turns over fine by hand and still has oil in it. Last ran just over a year ago, has no end float
(once correctly shimmed and with flywheel) - let me know what you think. Can strip off fan shroud etc.
if it will help shipping- oil cooler is still fitted BTW.

Cheers

James

 

[bananacustard]

Looks like a possibility James. Could you pm me a contact number so I can ask you a few things about it.

cheers, Jeremy