08/04/2010
For owners of classic Volkswagen Type 2 Buses, Campers, and Vanagons, keeping these beloved vehicles on the road often means considering engine replacement or rebuilding. A popular and highly effective solution is opting for a stock replacement long block engine that features 'reground' components. But what exactly does 'reground' mean in this context, and what else can you expect to be included in such a comprehensive engine package? Let's delve into the intricate details of these meticulously prepared powerplants, designed to breathe new life into your vintage VW.
At its core, a reground engine signifies a commitment to restoring key internal components to their original, precise specifications, often through a process of machining and polishing. This isn't just a simple repair; it's a fundamental re-engineering of critical parts that have experienced wear over decades of use. When you invest in a fully rebuilt long block engine, especially one designed for a classic like the VW Type 2, you're getting a powerplant that combines the best of restoration and modern manufacturing techniques, providing a reliable and durable heart for your vehicle.
Understanding the 'Reground' Process: Crankshafts and Camshafts
The term 'reground' specifically refers to two of the most vital rotating components within an engine: the crankshaft and the camshaft. Their precise dimensions and smooth surfaces are absolutely critical for the engine's operation, efficiency, and longevity.
The Reground Crankshaft: Foundation of Power
The crankshaft is the backbone of your engine, responsible for converting the pistons' up-and-down (reciprocating) motion into rotational energy that ultimately drives your wheels. Over time, the journals—the surfaces where the crankshaft rotates within its bearings—can wear, become pitted, or suffer from scoring due to insufficient lubrication or debris. When a crankshaft is 'reground', it undergoes a precision machining process where a very thin layer of material is removed from these worn journals. This restores their perfectly round shape and smooth finish, but to a slightly smaller diameter.
- Why it's done: To eliminate wear, pitting, and imperfections, ensuring the crankshaft rotates smoothly and precisely, and allowing for new, correctly sized bearings to be fitted.
- What's included: A reground crankshaft is always paired with new bearings. These bearings are manufactured to slightly smaller 'undersizes' to compensate for the material removed during the regrinding process, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal oil film thickness for lubrication.
The Reground Camshaft and Lifters: Orchestrating the Valves
The camshaft is another critical component that dictates the timing of your engine's valves, controlling the flow of air and fuel into the cylinders and exhaust gases out. Its lobes, which push against the lifters, are precisely shaped to open and close the valves at specific intervals. Like the crankshaft, these lobes and journals can wear down over time, altering valve timing and reducing engine efficiency.
- Why it's done: Regrinding the camshaft restores the original lobe profiles and journal diameters, ensuring accurate valve lift and duration. This is crucial for maintaining proper engine performance, fuel economy, and emissions.
- What's included: A reground camshaft is invariably accompanied by reground lifters (also known as tappets). These components work in tandem, and it's essential that their mating surfaces are perfectly matched and smooth to prevent premature wear and ensure correct valve operation.
Beyond Reground: New Components for Peak Performance
While regrinding is a cornerstone of a quality rebuilt engine, a comprehensive long block goes much further, incorporating a host of new components to ensure reliability and longevity. This is where the 'fully rebuilt' aspect truly shines.
New Bearing, Seals, and Gaskets: The Unsung Heroes
A rebuilt engine relies heavily on a complete refresh of its sealing and friction-reducing elements:
- New Bearings: As mentioned, new bearings are essential for the reground crankshaft and often for the camshaft too. They provide a low-friction surface for rotation and are critical for maintaining oil pressure.
- New Seals: Every opening where a shaft passes through the engine block or components meet must be sealed to prevent oil leaks and maintain proper internal pressures. This includes crankshaft seals, camshaft seals, and valve stem seals.
- New Gaskets: Gaskets create a tight seal between stationary components, preventing fluid leaks and ensuring proper compression. A full long block includes all necessary gaskets, from cylinder head gaskets to oil sump gaskets. These components are vital for the engine's overall integrity and leak-free operation.
New Piston/Liner Set: The Heart of Compression
The pistons and cylinder liners (or barrels) are fundamental to the engine's ability to create power. They form the combustion chamber and are responsible for compressing the air-fuel mixture and transmitting the force of combustion to the crankshaft.
- Why new: Over time, cylinder walls can wear, becoming oval or tapered, reducing compression. Pistons can also wear, leading to piston slap or excessive oil consumption. A new piston/liner set ensures optimal compression, reduces oil consumption, and restores engine efficiency to factory specifications. This is a critical factor in a truly reliable rebuild.
Complete Rebuilt Heads: The Engine's Breath
The cylinder heads are often referred to as the 'brains' of the engine, controlling the critical intake and exhaust processes. A fully rebuilt long block includes meticulously reconditioned cylinder heads.
- New Seats: Valve seats are the surfaces on which the valves rest when closed. Worn seats lead to poor sealing and compression loss. New seats are machined into the head to ensure a perfect, airtight seal.
- New Guides: Valve guides are sleeves that support the valve stems, ensuring they move precisely up and down. Worn guides can lead to oil consumption and premature valve wear. New guides restore proper alignment.
- New Exhaust Valves: Exhaust valves operate under extreme heat and pressure, making them prone to wear and burning. Replacing them with new ones ensures durability and proper sealing. Intake valves are typically inspected and replaced if necessary, but exhaust valves are almost always new due to the harsh conditions they endure.
Enhanced Options: New AMC Cylinder Heads
For later style VW Type 2 models from 1972 onwards and Waterboxer engines, an additional upgrade often available is the inclusion of new AMC cylinder heads. These are not merely rebuilt original heads but entirely new castings, often manufactured to superior modern standards.
- Benefits of New AMC Heads: New castings eliminate any fatigue, cracks, or hidden damage that might exist in old, original heads, even after rebuilding. They often feature improved metallurgy and design, contributing to better cooling, increased durability, and potentially enhanced performance. For an additional cost, this upgrade offers peace of mind and can significantly extend the life and reliability of your rebuilt engine, especially for engines known for head issues like the Waterboxer.
Why Choose a Stock Replacement Long Block?
Opting for a stock replacement long block engine with reground and new components offers several compelling advantages, particularly for vintage vehicles like the VW Type 2:
- Reliability: Every critical component has been inspected, reconditioned, or replaced to meet or exceed original specifications. This provides a level of reliability far superior to an unknown used engine.
- Convenience: A long block is a significant assembly (block, crankshaft, pistons, cylinder heads, camshaft) that comes ready to install, saving considerable time and complexity compared to sourcing individual parts and performing a full rebuild yourself.
- Cost-Effectiveness: While not the cheapest option upfront, it often proves more economical in the long run than repeatedly repairing an ailing engine or attempting a DIY rebuild without the necessary expertise and specialist tools.
- Performance: With restored tolerances and new wear parts, the engine will perform much closer to its original factory specifications, offering better power, fuel economy, and smoother operation.
- Longevity: The comprehensive nature of the rebuild means the engine is prepared for many more years of service, making it a sound investment for your classic vehicle.
Comparison: Rebuild Options for Your VW Type 2
When faced with an engine issue, VW Type 2 owners have a few paths. Here's how a reground long block compares:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Engine Rebuild | Potentially lowest parts cost, full customisation, deep learning experience. | Requires significant time, specialist tools, high mechanical expertise, no warranty on labour. |
| Used Engine (Salvage) | Lowest initial cost. | Unknown history, unknown mileage, often requires immediate additional work, high risk of failure. |
| Stock Replacement Reground Long Block | High reliability, convenience, often comes with warranty, restored to near-new specs. | Higher initial cost than DIY parts or used engine. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Reground Engines
Is a reground engine as good as new?
While technically not 'new' in the sense of being freshly cast, a professionally reground and rebuilt engine is brought back to original factory specifications for critical clearances and tolerances. With new wear components, it can offer performance and reliability comparable to or even exceeding its original state, especially given the improvements in modern materials and machining techniques. For a vintage vehicle like a VW Type 2, it's often the closest you'll get to a 'new' engine.
How long does a reground engine last?
The lifespan of a reground engine is largely dependent on the quality of the rebuild, proper break-in procedures, and consistent maintenance. A well-rebuilt engine, like the stock replacement long blocks described, can easily last for tens of thousands of miles, often rivalling the longevity of the original engine when it was new. Regular oil changes, proper cooling system maintenance, and addressing any minor issues promptly are key.
What's the difference between a short block and a long block?
A 'short block' typically includes the engine block, crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons. It's the bare essentials of the rotating assembly. A 'long block', as discussed, is much more complete. It includes everything in a short block, plus the cylinder heads, camshaft, valve train components, and often the oil sump and timing components. Essentially, a long block is ready for you to attach your external accessories like the carburettor or fuel injection, alternator, fan shroud, and exhaust system.
Why are new AMC heads an upgrade for later models and Waterboxers?
For certain VW engine types, particularly the Type 4 engines found in later Type 2s (from '72 onwards) and the Waterboxer engines, cylinder heads were known to be a potential weak point. New AMC (American Motors Corporation, known for quality castings) cylinder heads are newly manufactured, avoiding any fatigue or micro-cracks that might be inherent in decades-old original castings, even after rebuilding. They often feature improved material composition and design for better heat dissipation and durability, making them a significant upgrade for these specific applications.
What should I look for when buying a reground engine?
Always seek out reputable suppliers with a strong track record in VW engine rebuilding. Look for clear descriptions of what's included (like the detailed list we've covered), inquire about the warranty, and ask about the break-in procedure. Transparency about the components used (e.g., specific brands of pistons, bearings) is also a good sign of quality.
Conclusion
A stock replacement long block engine featuring reground components represents an excellent investment for any owner of a VW Type 2 Bus, Camper, or Vanagon looking to extend the life of their cherished vehicle. It's a comprehensive solution that meticulously addresses wear and tear on critical internal parts, providing a reliable, powerful, and durable engine. By understanding exactly what goes into these rebuilt powerplants – from the precision of a reground crankshaft and camshaft to the inclusion of new pistons and completely rebuilt cylinder heads – you can confidently make an informed decision to keep your classic VW cruising the roads for many more adventures to come. This robust approach to engine restoration ensures that the heart of your Type 2 is as solid and dependable as the day it first rolled off the production line.
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