Date:         Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:15:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Bottom end, to rebuild? or do the top end only?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Howdy list,

I have a second '82 AC westy that I am preparing to replace my current '82
AC westy.  It ran o.k. when I purchased it and had no knocking tapping or
other internal engine noises.  I listened to the engine from above and below
and cycled the rpms widely and rapidly to listen for all of the tell tale
sounds that I have heard out of these engines over the years and heard
none.  When I did a compression test the numbers 1 and 3 cylinders had low
compression so I decided to redo the heads.  While in there I am going to
replace the pistons and cylinders because there are light signs of wear.

My question is this.  Are there any tests that I can do to quantify the
condition of the bottom end?  Crank endplay and side to side movement of the
rods are the only things that I know to check and I don't have a precise
threshold for the later.  I may be taking some long distance trips in this
van next year and don't mind doing the bottom end now yet have had the
bottom end on these engines outlast the top in most of my experiences and I
don't enjoy the hassle of shipping large and heavy items to rebuilders.

Thanks for your advice and information,

Jonathan Poole