First post - Big hopes

[axel]

Gday Mk1 people!

I have been lurking around here for months now so it's time to throw some grand ideas of mine around for discussion.
I've done some reading here in the forums but may still repeat some things you guys have already covered - if so just tell me.

Have been given a '79 GLD that is running and very capable of being registered again. Has had new rings put in by my mechanic friend who gave it to me. I wouldn't let him repair my cars, he's a butcher in my eyes (I am the complete opposite, but anyway).
Motor has some oil leaks. Has around 200,000 kms on it. Hopefully just sump leaks rather than main seal.
The body has some rust I was not happy about (lots) so I found a good friend of mine interstate with an '80 with a cracked head, always garaged, essentially rust free. The engine bay is immaculate - like new.
Was going to transplant the running diesel motor from mine into it but then again it may be better to just transplant the head. Any thoughts?
Also, after I have the new car on the road the plan was to fit a small turbo (low boost) to it. I haven't read much positive talk about it here yet. Heat seems to be the main issue?
Was planning on fabricating a new inlet and exhaust manifold for the turbo and running a large enough intercooler to keep the charge temperatures down. I may even run oil/lubrication injection to the valves if required.
I was planning some serious oil cooling and increasing capacity to keep operating oil temps down. The increased temperature (too be seen) may require a larger radiator. If a reduction in compression is required I would increase the head gasket thickness most likely. Is the increase in torque worth the hassle?
Sorry about the long post. 6 posts in 1.

[Jarred]

Hi there and welcome to the forums!

where to start.

A rust free body would be brilliant! as rust is a major issue with mk 1's.

I'd defiantly look into the other car (providing it's a diesel too) and put your good engine in it. This is a pretty comon practice amongst mk1'ers I find.

As for the turbo suggestion.

well. I'm under the belief that that engine origonally came with a turbo, for other (ie US) markets, but we never got them in Aus.. I believe some passat's also got turbo deisels.

As for the actual turbo set up, unforuntaly we only have a few diesel nuts here, So for a big base of info I'd check out. www.vwdiesel.net, as it should have all the answers you are looking for!

But once again, welcome. and feel free to post up some pics of your car too!

[axel]

Thanks for the welcome Jarred.

Yep both diesels. Converted this one to WVO already. Will probably be fumigating with LPG too if I get motivation.

Will visit the site you mentioned for info - thanks for that.

Picture wise, there's not much to see of the white one here but when I get down to the new doner chassis I'll get some for posting. I am quite certain there will be some green eyes.

I'll post up how the project goes. Always ready for expert opinions. Will be some time before the hands get greasy as I have to sell the R33 Skyline first. I'm gonna miss it but oil at US$192/barrel it's gotta go. Plus the skylinesaustralia forums are full of f&*^%&%s (I met some of them in person).

[GoLfMan]

welcome mate!
good to hear your getting into the mk1 scene, not many of us left im afraid

however i've heard that force induction through those engines doesnt quite go that well as they cannot cope and stuff goes wrong, i may be wrong however.

if you can find one get the 1.6td or even a 1.9td they both should transplant fairly easily without to much fuss!

and again

WELCOME

[axel]

welcome mate!
good to hear your getting into the mk1 scene, not many of us left im afraid

however i've heard that force induction through those engines doesnt quite go that well as they cannot cope and stuff goes wrong, i may be wrong however.

if you can find one get the 1.6td or even a 1.9td they both should transplant fairly easily without to much fuss!

and again

WELCOME

Thanks! There may be few but I can't see a better platform to play with diesels on a budget than these Mk1s. 2 free cars to play with in my example. Can't beat that. I saw the possibilities for those transplants. I will consider them certainly, but after blowing up this one first
I have some contacts that can get me free turbos that will need bearings at worst. Everything else is from wreckers or scrap metal places. I have nothing to loose. Will be educational for sure. At worst it will be a great case study on what NOT to do haha.

[axel]

Gday Aaydan,

Not prepared to spend the big dollars on it as my thoughts are there should be a reasonable limit for cars this age. Big money would be best spent bringing in a TDI for our little Ford Focus here... but that's another story. The Mk1 is a good playground for some ideas. I will try and work with what I have and record ongoing costs. I am a DIY kinda guy - yes.

I have read on your/others ideas with the clutched superchargers and I see great merit in that idea. Drive belt will need some serious thought. I will have my contacts keep an eye out for one.

I will add I am not really keen on getting big power out of it. It's really an education in diesels and turbos/superchargers. If I wanted big power I'll throw money at the Focus or Skyline which, I won't.

[Preen59]

Plus the skylinesaustralia forums are full of f&*^%&%s (I met some of them in person).

Heh, so its not just me that thinks it.. I really hate those boy racers. Really.

Good luck with this one i like where you're going with it. I've always wanted to stick a puffer on a mk1 diesel. So i'll keep my eye on what you get up to.

[Golf Loon]

Welcome mate.

Dont crack the head off a running Diesel, transplant the engine whole.

Good luck with the rest of the project.

[DVR68U]

yeah many a mk1'ers dream would be a boosted diesel mk1 , torque and economy
cheers brenton

[axel]

Welcome mate.

Dont crack the head off a running Diesel, transplant the engine whole.

Good luck with the rest of the project.

Geez I didn't think this forum was that busy. Thanks for all the interest/ecouragement everyone.
My initial thoughts exactly on transplanting the engine whole.
Diesels are the go certainly. Playing around with Petrol engines has been done to death plus the RTA and cops don't seem to approve. Especially turbos
Have spent some hours on that diesel website - yikes. There is some reading to do there.

What I will be reading up on is tricks to protect the new chassis from the usual rust issues. I have a fair idea where all the rust problems are, just need to look at the white one in the backyard haha!

BTW, I have moved from Sydney to a place not quite ideal for playing with VWs - Dubbo. I now have the space and the workshop but all those bommadore and falcooon parts around here are no good to me!

Anyway, will spend some serious time reading up on all previous gritty here and the vwdiesel site before I raise up the spanner. I have a Hanes ws manual already. I know there are better ones around. Will see how far this one gets me.

The car was initially intended to tow my bike trailer with my KTM around the countryside on my cheap veggie fuel. We shall see if it can prove to do this comfortably and reliably. A nice new seat and a loud stereo will help.