Swapping OBD1 dizzy to coil?(pics of what happens when timing chain tensioner brakes killing engine)

[1949bug 0]

Hi all. I recently won a VR6 on eaby for a bargin price. The chap was selling it for a friend (apparantly) Any way he said spairs or repair, car was good and he thought but he thought the head gasket had gone.

Id bought the car simply for the engine etc for a cnoversion, but on seeing the condition of the car decided to keep it as a mk3.

Today I tried to start the engine for the first time, it did not turn over at all, so suspected the starter solonoid.

On checking the dipstick the oil level was about 3 times over full!!! so I drained the oil, about 2 ltrs of water came out followed buy the old oil. So Immedieatly i too turned to a headgasket problem.

Well i did not expect to see this. looks like the timing chain tensioner gave up. I think the enigne is pretty much dead.

Looking in the crank shaft gear is snapped, and the head is totally mangaled.

I think the only thing possibly savable is the block, if it was bored to a 2.9 or 3.2, due to the bore damage!

Its not a pretty sight

And the head

Anyway the question is. Can I use my spare (coilpack) enigne to replace my dead dizzy enigne?

My first thoughts are could I simply replace the block and head with my "new" engine and transfer the dizzy running gear over? as this would be the simplest and easiest route if its possible???

Or how hard is it to install my coilpack engine and convert the car to run on a coil pack? what other parts would i need?

Out of the two options Id prefer to stay with the dizzy to keep costs down and make things simpeler.

And help or advise would be much appreciated.

ps:

The original engine was AAA 0142 535 fron 1992 running on dizzy

The "new" engine is AAA 0029 936 from 1994 running on coil pack.

I have this engine, its a obd1 on a coil pack.

[Ben Seabrook 4]

WOW Lee that looks worse than you thought mate !!! as far as I know if you swap the block over from the coilpack onto the dizzy engine as they are both OBD1 it should be ok ! although am sure someone with more technical knowldedge will be along to correct me !

good luck with it mate

[1949bug 0]

Yeh not a nice sight, cant complain tho really, as the car was peanuts in the first place.

Good news is i have the spare engine, bad news is the 57 beetle it was destined for now has no engine. So looks like it will go back to scooby power!

30 views so far, would have thought Id had some more replies buy now.

Yeh as you say they are both obd1, so im pretty sure its a simple swap. Bit like the old escorts when they changed from dizzy to the kj jetronic and gearbox sensors and blanking plate on the dizzy hole!?

Im sure some one will be along soon.

[Ben Seabrook 4]

yes mate I have had a couple of OBD1 cars now and the only difference was the coil or dizzy so cant see it being a prob tbh

[1949bug 0]

Anyone?

Would be nice to know before i dive in to the "new" engine.

thanks

[cabrioman 6]

just use the head and block form the new engine and swap all the dizzy stuff over that would be the cheapest and quickest way mate .... plus then all u need is a block and head for the bug engine ... just as long as the dizzy aint damaged ... hope this helps

tony

[1949bug 0]

Yeh thats the plan.

almost have the old engine out. Have decided to take the whole front subframe out as one unit.

That way can easily fit a new clutch and assemble it on the floor and lift the whole lot back in.

Had a good look at the 2 engines side buy side tonight. So am fairly confident its a straight swap now.

Like you say i need to use the old dizzy stuff, chain cover etc.

Only thing i need to find out now is if i can use the cams in the new engine or have to use the old ones from the brokem one. Im assuming the coil pack engine will still have the cam lobes for the dizzy, Would be very nice if they were.

Will post up some pics tommrow

[1949bug 0]

Cant believe no one else has posted on this with soooo many views?

Ive got a new full chain kit, both chains, tensioner, guides, new hydro bolt and even a lower main oil seal while the flywheel is off! and a new clutch kit to go on also.

Looking at the job now, I simply need to transfer the old dizzy cams, rockercover and housing over to the coilpack engine. Im doing it this weekend.

But would still be nice if someone else could back this up.

On the up side i'll have a full coil pack conversion kit for sale at some point for someone!

[CALICO 130]

tonyvrsc is a mechanic so if he says thats all you need to do thats all you need to do hes worked on plenty of peeps cars on here he knows his stuff good luck with the swap

[Russvrt 85]

does this meen its the same for obd1 2.9 to obd1 2.8 as my rado has given up and its much easier to find a 2.8 then can rebuild my 2.9 when its out,

hope the cams dont need swapping.,

[paceo 22]

old post but this is my motor now! :-) still alive!