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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: mattdebs on 12 November 2011, 23:32

Title: will swapping heads work?
Post by: mattdebs on 12 November 2011, 23:32
My cambelt snapped today  :cry:  Gunna get quotes for fixing it and I'm looking for a new engine incase it works out cheaper.  Do i need a complete lump or can I just swap the head for another?
Thanks in advance for the help
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: herr schimdt on 12 November 2011, 23:53
as long as the pistons and bores are fine then you can just put another head on if the valves are fine then all youll need is a new headgasket and cambelt
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: weazgti on 13 November 2011, 08:39
is it 8v? apparently they are non interference and some people have got away with just changing the belt. could you try a belt on or is it beyond your capabilities?
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: mattdebs on 13 November 2011, 08:57
Yes, it's 8v, I reckon I could change the belt easily enough, it's just setting up the timing I would have problems with.  Be great if it is non interference.  :smiley:
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 13 November 2011, 11:45
Get the Haynes out and just rotate things around where they need to be, then put the belt on.

The only tricky bit will be timing in the dizzi, as it's unlikely to remain as it was.
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: siddleg on 13 November 2011, 12:28
is that right re 8v non interference? 
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 13 November 2011, 13:02
IIRC yes it is.
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: herr schimdt on 13 November 2011, 20:08
d the haynes manual  its got all the info to change the cambelt and yes it is none interferance

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=189837.0
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: Bigdunc on 13 November 2011, 20:28
put new belt on and turn engine over by hand if all seams smooth and nothing nocking then your prob safe :)
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: Wayne on 13 November 2011, 20:48
is that right re 8v non interference? 

Correct, how fast were you going at the time
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: mattdebs on 13 November 2011, 22:02
I was just pulling away so not fast at all.  Fitted the new belt today, it's not tensioned or anything yet, I ran out of time and the bolts holding on the water pump pulley were a right bugger to get off!  I ended up having to pull really hard on the belt to put tension on the pulleys so they wouldn't spin...trapped me fingers a couple of times!  :angry:  :grin:
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: mattdebs on 18 November 2011, 22:11
So, I put a new belt on last weekend and when I had time, towed it down to a garage to sort the timing out.  Engine was fine, no damage   :smiley:   charged me £80 for 2 hours labour though...daylight robbery   :angry:
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: Wayne on 20 November 2011, 17:07
charged me £80 for 2 hours labour though...daylight robbery   :angry:

£40 per hour is not bad, some garages and most of the main dealers around here are now charging £75 per hour.
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: mattdebs on 20 November 2011, 18:25
charged me £80 for 2 hours labour though...daylight robbery   :angry:

£40 per hour is not bad, some garages and most of the main dealers around here are now charging £75 per hour.

The going rate for dealerships is about £40-£50 round here and back street garages like this one, £25-£30,  It wasn't just the price per hour that got me though...2 hours to set the timing?
Title: Re: will swapping heads work?
Post by: Sam on 20 November 2011, 18:30
charged me £80 for 2 hours labour though...daylight robbery   :angry:

£40 per hour is not bad, some garages and most of the main dealers around here are now charging £75 per hour.

The going rate for dealerships is about £40-£50 round here and back street garages like this one, £25-£30,  It wasn't just the price per hour that got me though...2 hours to set the timing?

If they were doing the job properly they will have taken off the cambelt again and made sure it was all correct from the word go