Arthur's 1983 vw rabbit gl build

[RobMinhas]

Is the 1.8 block compatible with the 1.7 head then?

This is cool stuff, you're a fast worker too.

[racycle]

I believe it is , if not I will find out the hard way. Everything else from the 1.7 fits in this block. The only different I have really noticed is different chamber size / piston heads/rods. Both blocks seam to use the same crankshaft and bearing size to.

Also thanks It would have been a lot shorter of a process if I didn't hand clean everything haha.

[racycle]

A few people online were discussing a 1.8 head on the 1.7block and you had to modify the oil feeder holes for the 2 to match up (not sure what they are called), but my build is the other way around so ill probably have to do the same stuff backwards.


Putting it back together is going a lot slower than I planed. My friend didn't make any form of documentation or organization of how he took stuff off the block.

[kulluminati777]

oh shizzle

At least you know for next time when first tearing down a engine. Bag and tag everything

[racycle]

Well my memory is pretty good when assembling stuff. Just can't let other people help that are to lazy to leave me clues haha.

[racycle]

After some measurements and such. I will be finding out tomorrow if a friend can help me out with a welding job. The 2 main oil feeds you can see on the top of the block, the one closest to the pulley side will need to be completely welded shut. The larger main will need about half a cm added to the outer inside to shrink the hole and decrease the odds of a oil leak.

[racycle]

Work has been slow but I have been doing stuff. As soon as my rod bearings and oil pan gasket come in the mail the motor will be ready to be put back in.



Also if anyone has a mk1 and knows how the trunk lid should be properly mounted , plz tell me haha. At the moment it sits a inch over the seat and not flush with the speaker covers.

[racycle]

After a messy day , the pistons are back in , set to TDL so i can redo the timing , oil pan back on and ready to be droped in.





Got the fenders , flairs and splash guards back on the front





Lastly , my little work station



I might do the drop tomorrow but not sure yet. I'll see how the day goes

[kulluminati777]

Your work station looks depressing lol

and im really loving the green your using its "mazdaspeed green"

alot of the MS parts for the MX3 are that same color

[racycle]

haha just a little small and I didn't know the green was mazda related. i just liked the color, i guess i can't avoid some mazda influence

[racycle]

The block is now in the car the miss helped me a lot today after I learned I couldn't drop the motor in from the top. Didn't take any pictures but i will tomorrow while I'm putting everything back together.

[racycle]

[racycle]

Been awhile sence I posted anything new. After putting the block in , I have been matching the ports for the 1.8block to work with the 1.7 head. The car will be painted with chalkboard paint.

I don't know if anyone here owns a rabbit and has actually payed attention to how easy you can push in the outside of the doors but when trying to fix the harsh dent that started on the driver door and went to the driver side rear door I learned how flimsy they seam. Inside the door is a support sheet that goes across so i used a piece of wood cut at a slight angle so the part by the handle would be thinner. Now the door dose not seam to "flex" as much.



Now some sanding , a little bondo and it will be set.

[racycle]

Decided to take a break from the mechanics and go back to the cosmetics. I bought chalkboard paint!





Here is a close up of the vents and washer jets with the painted mesh.

[racycle]

Painted the lower side rails. I'm still not sure if i like them on the car. Removed the middle thicker ones.



getting the fenders off



painted the front and fixed all the dents and whatnot from the bottom lip



Lastly the front of the car all finished