TheSamba.com :: View topic - Best Source for Rebuilt Engines for VW Bays

Sun Jun 30, 2019 6:55 pm

If there is already a thread that is relatively new (maybe a year or so) on this subject, please feel free to just point me to that. It's hard to search for anything with the word "engine" in it here, thanks to the reliably unreliable nature of these lovely creatures.

If not, the question is simple: Which supplier is the go-to for rebuilt engines these days?

Sun Jun 30, 2019 9:31 pm

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc...=titleonly

Search by title. You can also wildcard which is pretty handy - but I know the post you need is here..

One thing I would love is to be able to sort by reply count.

Mon Jul 01, 2019 6:28 am

What type of engine,flat 4 or upright 1600'general consensus around here is,if you want it done right,do it yourself.

Mon Jul 01, 2019 3:44 pm

Powerhaus VW built my motor for my 74 Westy. I installed a 1914cc Type I motor in my bus, since we would be traveling the country. I have about 35,000 miles on this motor, with just basic maintenance being needed.

Mon Jul 01, 2019 7:54 pm

What year?

Tue Jul 02, 2019 10:22 am

clicknathan wrote: If there is already a thread that is relatively new (maybe a year or so) on this subject, please feel free to just point me to that. It's hard to search for anything with the word "engine" in it here, thanks to the reliably unreliable nature of these lovely creatures.

If not, the question is simple: Which supplier is the go-to for rebuilt engines these days?

There is no simple answer here unfortunately. You are talking about a late bay T4 most likely, given how many T1 rebuilders are easily located.

Your first choice should be someone local, if you can find someone you are willing to trust.

Don't be tempted to do anything crazy like GEX or BusDepot (BD uses AVP, same quality as GEX).

Don't use any builder if you see that their setup usually involves a centermounted carb or if they say they always switch to carbs because they don't understand fuel injection (assuming your bus is likely FI, keep it that way.)

If you can't get someone to do it local. CONSIDER doing it yourself. Everyone always says that, but you know what you can do and what you can't. If you can't, consider guys like Adrian from Headflowmasters. He's had some failures, but I don't know of anyone else that is doing them in mass and will work with you to correct any issues if they do come up.

Tue Jul 02, 2019 10:27 am

From a bit of research I did, I think this guys in Corpus Christi Texas. Might as well be on the moon when it comes to T4 builders. Best plan on shipping the engine.

Tue Jul 02, 2019 10:55 am

MOfoco in Wisconsin does Type1 and Type4 motors.
https://www.mofoco.com/category/Engines/c46

Tue Jul 02, 2019 11:05 am

Randy Brown is about 190mi from Corprus Christi, the other side of San Antonio
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/pts/d/comfort-vw-engines-beetle-bus/6896126828.html

there's also a San Antonia area VW culture
http://www.vosaclub.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=14&sid=531b2a23b3b07c75e843b3bfc4161f11

aeromech wrote: From a bit of research I did, I think this guys in Corpus Christi Texas. Might as well be on the moon when it comes to T4 builders. Best plan on shipping the engine.

Quote: When I attended Porsche engine schools in Calif.
Everybody was given a book titled “EXCELLENCE IS EXPECTED”..
So for over 40 years I have been building VW and Porsche
Engines with that same motto..

AVAILABLE> Beetle and Bus VW "Air-Cooled" engines..
Complete Engines, and "LongBlocks"..
Call for information @ 210-209-3597.. ask for Randy

FIRST> IMPORTANT MUST READ:
I promise you- if you take the trouble to visit my shop-
Just spend 45 minutes with me and I can prove to you
"without a doubt"- that no one can build a VW air-cooled engine like I can..

INSPECTING YOUR OLD ENGINE:
If you are interested in getting an estimate on your present engine>
You will need to deliver that engine to my shop..
Only "after" it has been disassembled will I be able to quote you a firm price..

Randy's VW Hobby Shop Comfort TX
A "Genuine VW Shop" dedicated to Classic VW & Porsche air-cooled engines..

I am a factory trained VW mechanic from the early 70's, also a self-taught machinist.
Factory tools and equipment and Factory Training..
Ive been self-employed since 1977 and have only recently put my shop back together on my country property near Comfort, Tx. I can do most machine shop services, and all engine repairs on Air-Cooled Vw's.. Bring your own parts welcome.

I build very high quality VW engines> better than the VW factory engines that were sold new..
I use new Cylinder Heads, new Pistons and Cylinders, Genuine VW connecting rods rebuilt, new Camshafts and Lifters and more.. Lots of options on High-Performance engine components.
Complete engines get new Alternators, new Carburetors, Electronic Distributors,
Bosch Ignition parts and much more..
From 1600cc to 1776cc Type1/Bug Engines to 2056cc Type 4/Bus Engines.
I build every engine as though I was going to use it for myself, and I don't cut corners.
So if you're shopping for price alone- I may not be your first choice.
Because I charge at least $1500 for my labor and whatever machine work is needed..

I don't have the time or energy to accept every project that comes my way.
So the projects that I do take-on are those where the owner wants 1st class technical and mechanical repairs.. I strive to rebuild engines to a point of perfection using specific machine shop operations and procedures and precise assembly techniques- and of course quality replacement parts (all based on the customers budget).

I enjoy helping people with their projects, giving advise and making recommendations. My shop is a "hobby shop" so I make a little $$ from my labor and used parts, and I pass on all new parts on a cost basis. Also I enjoy educating people with time permitting. You can come for a visit and I will spend an hour showing you how all the pieces come together.

So for those of you who need service to your VW engine- just give me call anytime.
I am a very low-volume/one-man shop and I am over 67yrs old, so don't expect same day service. I also buy used engines. So if you have something for sale give me a call. I am located about 50 miles NW of San Antonio near Comfort TX.
Thanks for looking, Randall Brown..
Vietnam Era USAF Veteran '68-'72

Tue Jul 02, 2019 11:15 am

Randy Brown seems like your guy. Thanks to the samba for helping this person.

Tue Jul 02, 2019 10:47 pm

Not to high jack the post, but would anyone know of a type 4 builder in Western North Carolina area? My 79 FI needs a rebuild.

Wed Jul 03, 2019 6:37 am

check with Asheville V dub.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Automotive-Repair-Shop/Asheville-Vee-Dub-117500964954918/

Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:10 pm

Monkey Nut in Charlotte should be able to help you.

Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:36 pm

I would PM Hazetguy. Don't kid yourself into thinking that you can pick up Tom Wilson's book and rebuild a type 4 engine in your garage. That advice may have had merit years ago when quality parts were available. There is a reason why 20,000 dollar Subaru conversions are becoming the norm. There are perhaps 4 people in the country that can successfully rebuild these engines with any serious track record of longevity. Don't get me wrong. If you have a surgically clean shop, access to the extremely few machinists that are well versed in these engines, access to the nearly extinct quality parts, have the proper tools to do the job, and have at the very least 5 grand to spend....it can be done. But one little mistake can and will end in catastrophic failure. I hate to sound like a negative nelly. Let a pro do it for you and pay them what they are worth. The list is very short.

Mon Jul 08, 2019 12:50 pm

Thanks everyone for the replies.

As to the questions about more info, it's a 2000 flat Type 4 with Fuel Injection.

I lived and traveled in it for years and was able to do the maintenance. Then I made the mistake of letting someone else cut some bolts and things got out of control from there, beyond my ability to repair at the time. Wish I'd have known about the guy in San Antonio, since this happened 2 years ago in Austin and I just hauled it home to Durango, CO a month ago. :P

I was always fine with doing maintenance and replacing the starter, AFM, fuel lines (excluding those to the tank) and stuff like that, but doing a rebuild feels daunting and more like something that would leave my Bus in a state of eternal disrepair eventually resulting in me just getting a rebuild anyway.

I definitely want to keep it FI and don't necessarily want a Subaru conversion.

I reached out to Powerhaus and will look into the other recommendations as well, though Asheville seems a bit far away. I used to live there years ago and didn't even know of a VW club, maybe it's new, but I can be a hermit too so that may be the case.

Many thanks to everyone who is so willing to donate their time here.

Mon Jul 08, 2019 1:24 pm

The local guy here in Durango only builds T1 engines. I think there is a guy in Colorado Springs who does T4 engines. I can ask the Colorado Springs guys at the end of the month, they are coming over for 4CORE which is the event I put on.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=712756

Mon Jul 08, 2019 4:28 pm

richparker wrote: The local guy here in Durango only builds T1 engines. I think there is a guy in Colorado Springs who does T4 engines. I can ask the Colorado Springs guys at the end of the month, they are coming over for 4CORE which is the event I put on.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=712756

Do you have the CO Springs guys name / contact info?

Who's the Durango guy? Just curious. :)

Looks like a fun event!