The other thing I'd do is get the head skimmed, that way you'll not be risking blowing a head gasket, and by doing that, they will also clean the head and the oilways :)

I would be careful about skimming a head. You should only need to do that if it is warped, you end up with a marginal rise in compression ratio (not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be depending on the engine type) and the clearance between valves and pistons will reduce meaning more extensive damage should something go wrong in the future. Apart from belt failures, valve to piston contact is also caused by changing down too early / gear mis-selection.

I have known machine shops get the skimming wrong, which leaves you with a nice table ornament. If you do want to use a machne shop I suggest that you them to do a pressure test on the head and check that it is level, you can then decide if you want it skimming. If the donor engine hasn't overheated then I don't see any particular reason why it would not simply drop on.

Decisions, decisions, .......... by the posting rate you at least you look determined to get her back together and on the road quickly

Great info about head skimming there, I didn't really think about the increase in compression ratio and the fact damage would be more extensive due to the closer proximity of parts!

I am determined to get her back on the road as I have done so much work it would be a shame to just scrap her and the fact I can't afford to get it done at a garage. It has been a great car for a DIY mechanic like myself.

Apparently the donor engine I'm going to rip apart this weekend had a full service history and was in really good condition. Here are a couple of photos. It actually looks a lot better condition than mine haha.

Don't think I will bother getting the head skimmed as I want to fix it for as little money as possible. So far I'm looking at £139 [emoji3]

Great info about head skimming there, I didn't really think about the increase in compression ratio and the fact damage would be more extensive due to the closer proximity of parts!

No problem. I had to learn a lot when an engine builder skimmed the top off a block from a hard to come by engine for me instead of metal filling the damage. It was a turbocharged car as well so I ended up having to design my own pistons to get the right compression ratio, deck height, valve / piston clearance etc. Intellectually challenging, proper engineering and I learnt a lot. It worked properly when assembled too.

Don't think I will bother getting the head skimmed as I want to fix it for as little money as possible. So far I'm looking at £139 [emoji3]

I thought you might be

I have one her you can have if that ones no good mate. I replaced mine as it was burning oil. Turned out to be rings stuck in pistons. The head is in good condition.

Cheers for the offer mate sent you a PM.

Edited 22 January, 201610 yr by TomCole

When fitting the rocker cover to the new head tomorrow what is the right liquid gasket to use?

This is VW part

D 188003A1 sealant, flexible

The stuff I bought for my rocker cover was Elring AFD2018 Anerobic surface sealant

Where did you get it from Nige?

Ha! since posting that I've been searching to try and find who I bought it from, and it was 123spareparts.co.uk although it was shipped from Germany??

ELRING AFD 2000, Seal / Gasket, Wet Sump 41405887 - 777.790

Quantity: 1

unit price net: 9.92 GBP (11.90 GBP brutto)

Would anything else do what I can get my hands on tomorrow? I will try and get the VW stuff but if not?

ECP do list some flexible sealant for the VW engines ??

I used the stuff eurocarparts sell. Comes up with correct stuff if you put the reg in

Cheers guys, hoping to get it all done tomorrow. Will update some pics of the progress. [emoji106]

Just brought the Elring stuff off euros, was £19 with a 10% discount bit steeper than what you paid Nige but I need it for tomorrow.

Shame you weren't a bit nearer, you could of had my stuff

Don't go too mad with the sealant - the last thing you need is an excess coming off and blocking an oilway

I watched a YouTube video by Elring and got a good idea of how much I should be putting down.

Massive thanks to Gbd8512 for helping me out this morning! Top bloke and a wealth of knowledge! [emoji106]

How did you get on mate?

Still going bud, had to get a new head gasket which took some time to get. Just about to put the rocker cover on and time it up [emoji3]

All set up ready to go

Water pump removed and cleaned up ready for the new one

New water pump ready to install

Edited 23 January, 201610 yr by TomCole

New head gasket in after the area was cleaned

Rocker cover cleaned ready for sealant, new cam belt guides and tensions installed

It then started pissing it down so I had to stop until tomorrow.

It's no fun doing this type of work outside at this time of year is it.

I can see ECP have been getting a bit of business out of you, lots of familiar parts and consumables on show.

Good luck for the morning