Member of the Month

GayWolf420
June, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Engine rebuild question

profile picture
corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
So I'm in the process of rebuilding a 2.1 L 89' Vanagon engine. The cylinder bores have pitting in them and definitely need either replacing or boring. My ever so difficult question is if I have the cylinders bored, is it fine to use the stock pistons with oversize rings? Or would I need to use oversize pistons as well. The cylinders would have to be bored out by ~0.25 mm (0.01") to take out a large pit in one which is causing abysmal compression and oil burning.


I know this is probably a long shot, I've spend a bit over an hour scouring google links to find an answer with no definitive answer and called a couple mechanics with no definitive answer, so I figure I'd ask here before I start making accounts on auto forums. Never know, maybe someone knows.
10 years ago
6 0
profile picture
TheStamos
Posts: 9311 - Karma: 910
Unfortunately i don't have a good answer for you but stoked you've got a project vanagon! When i do work on cars i tend to just replace whatever i can reach. Not the thriftiest way to go about it but yeah... Whats your instagram i wanna see your ride
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,464
I googled it and this came up:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/using-oversize-rings-on-stock-pistons/16964/page1/

Sounds like you'll need some new pistons
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Casey
Posts: 8025 - Karma: 27,006
If I were you I would try to get the guy from Vanistan on the phone. He does vanagon rebuilds and boring exclusively. I know the demand is ridiculous and he only does like one a month but I bet you could get some really good advice.
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
TheStamosUnfortunately i don't have a good answer for you but stoked you've got a project vanagon! When i do work on cars i tend to just replace whatever i can reach. Not the thriftiest way to go about it but yeah... Whats your instagram i wanna see your ride


no insta, but here are a couple pictures from its last trip (then I spent the winter in it in BC):







and here's dropping the engine.. didn't have an engine hoist but a forklift and car hoist make the job just as easy.

10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
ObeseBunnyI googled it and this came up:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/using-oversize-rings-on-stock-pistons/16964/page1/

Sounds like you'll need some new pistons


Thanks for the link, dunno why it didn't come up when I searched. Yea it's definitely looking like new pistons are in order. But he is talking about taking 0.03" off which is about 3 times what I'd need so maybe it wouldn't be that big a deal.

CaseyIf I were you I would try to get the guy from Vanistan on the phone. He does vanagon rebuilds and boring exclusively. I know the demand is ridiculous and he only does like one a month but I bet you could get some really good advice.


Will definitely try him. The other 2 mechanics I talked to had mixed opinions on it so someone who focuses on pretty much this specifically should have the answer I need.
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Sno.
Posts: 12311 - Karma: 7,885
my dad has the nicest vanagon...i will post pics tomorrow if he sends me one.
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Sno.
Posts: 12311 - Karma: 7,885


Here is a pic from a recent camping trip. has the ladder on the other side, too. Looks even nicer in person.
10 years ago
2 0
profile picture
corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
Sno.


Here is a pic from a recent camping trip. has the ladder on the other side, too. Looks even nicer in person.


damn. has some nice add-ons. the side screens and roll-out overhang are fantastic. I'll bet he keeps the engine in pretty prime working condition too.
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Sno.
Posts: 12311 - Karma: 7,885
VinnieFdamn. has some nice add-ons. the side screens and roll-out overhang are fantastic. I'll bet he keeps the engine in pretty prime working condition too.


He just had his rebuilt and bored I believe,--he does his work through Vanistan, as Casey mentioned above.
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11990 - Karma: 12,273
you'd be putting a shit ton of pressure on the rings and they probably wouldn't last long. and plus, bigger bore+bigger pistons = MORE POWWWAHHH
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
mmallender.
Posts: 5805 - Karma: 936
fuck a rebuild. go pick up a 3.2L vr6 and make that puppy fly
10 years ago
3 0
profile picture
Lus146
Posts: 422 - Karma: 2,282
VinnieFno insta, but here are a couple pictures from its last trip (then I spent the winter in it in BC):







and here's dropping the engine.. didn't have an engine hoist but a forklift and car hoist make the job just as easy.



That looks so fucking fun dude. I don't know enough about engines to help you but yeah that looks like it is a super fun vehicle to have and good luck with the rebuild!
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Sno.
Posts: 12311 - Karma: 7,885
Here is another pic my dad sent me. Good luck with yours--they're pretty awesome.


10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Sno.
Posts: 12311 - Karma: 7,885
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
in case anyone wanted to know, it's finally up and running again. Took waaaaaay too long to source all the proper parts I needed and endless issues with pretty much everything that could have an issue. Ended up needing new heads which cost a good chunk, but now it's all shiny and running great!
10 years ago
0 0
profile picture
daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
I would have looked into a newer engine swap quite honestly. If a tdi can power a 4Runner, it could be an interesting swap.

Regardless, those things are deathtrappy and awesome and I'm glad you got it running again.
10 years ago
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 11:27PM