Done a search but couldnt find any answers, I've been offered a free 1300 cylinder head from an 83 mk1 Golf, so i presume its a HK solid tappet head? I was planning on doing a bit of work on it and putting it into my 1990 Golf, 2G. So just thought id check that I'm not going to run into any combustion chamber issues or anything??

And if not how are the solid tappets compared to hydralic??

I think all mk1 golf 1.3 engines are the GF engine code, which is the earlier combustion chamber design where most of it is in the head. so not really of any use on a 2g bottom end.

Most mech heads are only single valve spring so they will only rev well up to 6000-6500ish rpm. You can get schrick uprated double springs for about £90 from german ebay (same springs as big block 8v mk1/2 golf)

Not talking about building a performance engine, just looking a cheap project, and to refurb a head for mine. So a GF head will not fit my block? Did they use any other engines in the Mk1 Golf? Had a look here and it says they used a couple of engines in the 83 Golf? HK etc??

Ill find out what engine code it is but would they all be the same then?

Well, you need to confirm the engine code. But unless it has had a replacement, it should be a GF engine. That link I've never seen before, but etka has the same facility, so I normally use that. Just had a look and it lists engines used in the mk1 golf, but the HK isn't among them.

The head from this engine will fit the 2G block, but the compression ratio will become very low (6:1 or something like that)

All is not lost, the GF engine has a good cam in it, suitable for upgrade of the HK cam. (sell on here for £30+)

For a 2G block, you can also get a head from an early mk2 1.05 (code GL) so you have another alternative if you cant find a HK

If you're not after making improvements, you might as well get another late mk2 head surely?

Thanks for all the info Gaz, helpfull as always. Just this head was close and free so thought id ask and see. So a HK head will be a direct swap? Always handy to know incase one turns up.

Yeah, A HK head will fit on the 2G block and give the right compression ratio. :)

It might be worth putting hypojam onto that mk1 golf head - he's been after one of those cams for a while.

Will do, ill give him a pm now.

eamon, is the whole engine there i need one for the girlfriend, would settle for the head though, ill get you that 2g head soon lol its only been 4 months waiting........

Edited 30 April, 200719 yr by poloracing

Its gonna lie in my garage for a couple of months, then be my best paper weight for a couple of months, so no rush.

Got a list of other things getting bigger and bigger and I'm getting less and less money coming in

ha ha lol, i gave michael a shout today and claimed that golf engine, cheers for the info eamon.

Anytime David. Better someone gets some use from it than it going for scrap.

hi, got a 2g engine for rebuilding at the koment, reading this what are the benefits of the hk and that to swap including cam swap etc?

excuse the short reply, stuck in hospital bored, lol!

You could always raise the compression back up by fitting a G4 turbocharger..

Only advantage is if you want high revs. If you're not planning on making a rev monster there's very little point. There are some disadvantages like the original late mk2 dizzy doesn't fit (you dont want the early one as it uses points instead of electronic)

ahh cool so it opens top end then really?

g4 turbo? g40 you mean?? and a turbo on a 2g, really?!

No,i mean a G4 turbo. But i was joking.. Still,one of Garrett's smaller items might not be such a bad idea,though i doubt the con-rods or pistons would be up to it.

I had to stand and watch a rust-free and original '85 get crushed the other week. Had the pre-hydraulic engine in it. I didnt think to remove the cam

No,i mean a G4 turbo. But i was joking.. Still,one of Garrett's smaller items might not be such a bad idea,though i doubt the con-rods or pistons would be up to it.

I had to stand and watch a rust-free and original '85 get crushed the other week. Had the pre-hydraulic engine in it. I didnt think to remove the cam

What? Why?

thought as much!! haha..

so how about the earky cam in ax 2g head like the gti cam in a driver in a golf, is that the idea?

mech head cams aren't interchangeable with later ones. Oh and you need som uprated valve springs, an aftermarket cam and some head work to make them rev well, litte point in getting one without doing all that as well.

this tempts me into just going the rebuild to learn route tbh.

thats the original idea. anyonerecommend any reading for it bar the dreaded haynes?

will be doing block and head.. will rehone the bores.. would crank need regrinding? valves I'm sure will?