[Vwdiesel] How bad can a head surface get...

[Shawn Wright]

How bad can a head surface get...before the head is a paperweight?

The parts engine I picked up with my Diesel Vanagon parts is a 1.5 block 
with nearly new pistons & rings (2nd oversize) but the head was loose, and 
looks like it had been dragged across the gravel for a while. Should I just 
take it to a shop for an opinion on whether it's rebuildable? 

I'm thinking of rebuilding this 1.5 to put in my '85 Jetta, since I can't afford 
the downtime to pull the 1.6 that's in it now (which is getting pretty tired). I 
need to build the engine first, then swap it in a weekend. I just don't have the 
energy for a rebuild *and* a swap in a weekend...

Alternatively, anyone have a cheap low miles longblock? Or a 1.5 head? 


Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'82 Diesel Westy 1.6NA
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA