equivilant engines for swap

**e.hunt** · 23-10-2012,08:16 PM

Hi
I have a Golf 1.6 cl and the rings/pistons have had it. The engine is an AEE which i'm having problems finding. Are there any other engines that would do the trick and be a straight swap?

**zollaf** · 23-10-2012,08:20 PM

welcome to the forum. have you had the head off, if so what are the bore like ? if they are any good then new rings are cheap and easy to fit once the sump is off. the bores can be honed back to life as long as they are not too far gone.

**e.hunt** · 23-10-2012,08:48 PM

Hi Zollaf

Yes I've completely rebuilt the head and replaced the valve stem seals as i originally thought this was the problem with a blowing head gasket. Should have done a leak down test first

Bores look good but could move the pistons around quite a bit. Afraid crankshaft and pistons are beyond my expertise and workshop. Replacing the engine seems easiest to me.

**zollaf** · 23-10-2012,09:01 PM

oh come on, if you can rebuild a head then you can change the piston rings. , but, pistons should move around in the bores a bit. right, any scores in the bores and any ridge at the top you can feel. if alls good, you drop the sump off, undo the big end bolts and use a wood drift to knock the pistons up and out. when they are all done, run a hone tool in a drill up and down the bores to remove glazing. its all on youtube how to do it. cover the crank journals with rag first. then remove the rings from the old pistons and fit new, following the fitting diagram and using a pair of piston ring pliers. then a ring compressor to fit the pistons back, new big end shells in, new bolts torqued up and jobs a goodun. its no harder than doing a head and a used engine might be worse than you already have.

**e.hunt** · 23-10-2012,11:27 PM

my problem doing the bottom end is getting the right clearances for the rings and big end shells. measuring is not my greatest asset (prefer best estimate and large hammer

). Will check the youtube to see whats needed. Thanks for your advice.

**zollaf** · 23-10-2012,11:31 PM

the big end shells, they are stamped with their size anyway, but will more than likely just be standard, so just replace with whats in their already. the rings should also fit straight out the box, but all you need to do is fit them to the bore and measure the gap at the ends with a feeler gauge and make sure its within spec. if they are tight, just grind a bit off, but you probably won't need to, just fit and forget. the pleasure you will get doing it will outweigh any thoughts you have of why you can't do it.