[urq] Urq, WX, Head Problems, etc.

[Louis-Alain Richard]

Stephen,

I'm wondering if the mechanic has indeed measured everything, or just
assumed that to do a good job, everything must be replaced. You know, on
lesser engines, valves and seats and guides often are replaced because they
are inexpensive compared to the overall cost. On an Audi turbo 5 pot, beware
of the cost of the new valves and guides. Exhaust valves are sodium cooled
and the guides are titanium alloy. Both are $$$ and can last a very long
time.

When my car's engine head was rebuilt 3 years ago, all they found was 3
cracks at the usual spot (sparkplug hole toward exhaust valve), and no wear
at all on the valves and the guides, even if the engine is over 100k. They
did replace the valve seats and repair the cracks. 

So my suggestion is : repair what you've got, don't replace what's not
mandatory, and collect the parts for a 3B swap to be completed when you'll
retire... 

Louis-Alain



> -----Message d'origine-----
> 
> ------ I have been having some work done on my '85urq.   While on the
> dyno, after parts had been replaced and fab'd, etc. ,  there was
> detonation..  The engine is now apart.  Pistons have been purchased,
> (Wisco) and the head and block or at the machinist.   The machinist
> says that the valves and guides are out of tolerance and need
> replacement .   Also , the cam journals are not properly aligned and
> must be rebored, (approx. extra  $190.). The shop mechanic handling
> everything suggested a new head or equivalent .     What would be an
> equivalent replacement head and approx.  cost to make it fit...?    I
> am thinking that I would be better off just continuing with the
> existing head repair, even though the machinist says it might now go
> thru another  rebuild as it has already been worked on previously.   So
> the present repair , he suggests , would likely be the last one...   I
> have already had a front mount intercooler installed , bought a new
> turbo, had a tube header made, new d
>  own pipe, EFI (Megasquirt) and new Ron Davis Radiator, and other
> related details.   I had thought of getting a 3B engine and having him
> install it, but that would probably cost a lot more and many or most of
> the current parts would not fit.    I sure would appreciate some
> suggestions and "how to's" to make my decision.   Another head might
> need new valves and guides and new lifters and would cost to ship, from
> wherever and cost to be disassembled , manifolds might not fit, etc. ,
> So I am thinking ;  just repair what I have and get the car on the
> road.   Thanks in Advance,    Stephen Redford  '85Urq  Seattle
> shr42 at msn.com<mailto:shr42 at msn.com>