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  #16  
Old 10-03-2013, 08:28 AM
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I bet it takes you less time than adjusting the valves on a 617
Yeah, but adjusting the valves on a mechanical head VW IDI is much fussier than on the OMs, and you need the pucks....

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)
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  #17  
Old 10-03-2013, 08:30 AM
JB3 JB3 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Air&Road View Post
I have an Army buddy that's been driving one about that year model for YEARS. It looks like it was an artillery target at one point, but he keeps it in good mechanical condition and drives it all over the place. He goes from New Braunfels, Tx to NorthWest Colorado a couple of times a year to see his sister.

He's a top notch mechanic and for some reason loves the little car.

because all you half to do is rewind the rubber band, or on the deluxe models, feed or replace the triple hamster wheel power.

In all seriousness, its a mechanics wet dream. The 240D might as well be a CDI blutec in complexity compared to one of these little gokarts.

Downside as mentioned is its a beer can waiting to be crushed. I hope the owner keeps it a loud color. Any visual advantage to not being squished
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  #18  
Old 10-03-2013, 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by rs899 View Post
Yeah, but adjusting the valves on a mechanical head VW IDI is much fussier than on the OMs, and you need the pucks....
shhhh!

swap in an 86(?) or later 1.6 head. When did they go to hydraulic?
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  #19  
Old 10-03-2013, 08:59 AM
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i had an '80 Rabbit Diesel Pickup. 4 spd manual (really wish it had the 5). 48 HP. Would do 80. Hauled 900lbs of gravel up a fairly steep hill (slowly). Good little ride that got 40 mpg. Would have done better with the 5 spd. Once you got used to working on it and bought a few tools, it was all good. I had a decent selection of pucks (also had gas engine/water cooled A1 bodies). They weren't too bad in a crash. Moron ran a stop sign and moved everything to the left about 4 inches on the front of wife's '84 gas Jetta. (last year for A1 body). She was fine but car was a total at that point. Wish I had an '81 Diesel Rabbit now. Would beat the heck out of the POS Subaru I stuck driving now.
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  #20  
Old 10-03-2013, 09:17 AM
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Quote:
When did they go to hydraulic?
I think it was 83 or 84. Unfortunately my collection is mostly mechanical heads, but those are supposed to be the "performance" versions, capable of another half horsepower wasted in the hydraulics.

Quote:
Wish I had an '81 Diesel Rabbit now.
For some reason, I can't get SWMBO to quit driving her 380SL and drive one of these guys.
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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)
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  #21  
Old 10-03-2013, 09:32 AM
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If it's anything like an 81 Jetta it will be awesome. A good friend has the 1.6 gasser and it just doesn't die. We changed the transmission in the driveway in ~ 3 hours.
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  #22  
Old 10-03-2013, 09:44 AM
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^^ I think the US (Westmoreland) versions like the one in the OP are a bit tackier but basically the same. The interiors are kinda what we expected back then in the econo US cars. The German versions are also cheap looking, but in a sort of sterile Euro way that I can't describe.
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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)
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  #23  
Old 10-03-2013, 10:07 AM
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working on them requires a smallish tool roll, a jack and a set of jackstands.

8, 10, 13, 15, 17 and 19mm spanner and socket set
metric allen set
12 and 8 xzn drive

a few scraps of metal

and you are set - adjusting the timing is so easy on the diesel - slacken the pulley (its actually just a taper fit - no woodruff key) - align the crank to zero - lock the cam at TDC - slot on the other side (above the point where you read crank TDC, tension the tensioner, tighten its nut, tighten the cam pulley - button back and you are set.

set injection timing with a dial gauge and adapter - easy as pie as the pump is right there uptop.
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  #24  
Old 10-03-2013, 10:58 AM
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My 1st diesel was a new '79 Rabbit, (5 speed). Still sorry I didnt keep it.
Second was a new '80 Rabbit PU, biggest pile of ****e I ever owned, got rid of it within a year. '78' & 79 diesels were made in Germany, after '80 all were made in US, (bodys, that is, engines were still made in G.) The engines with 'thick' head gaskets were sent to US for domestic installs. (as I recall, the '3 notched' gaskets).

The '79 got consistantly in the 50+ mpg's, once or twice 56 mpg. Plus the car never broke. In the shop once for a recall install to prevent engine runaway on motor oil. & once a front end realignment with new tires. Oh yes, 'one' nozzle replaced.

The '80 spent much time in the shop, under warranty, but still, , , , it had the factory runaway (unit) but ran away on me once, engine growled loudly and it laid down an epic smoke screen.
c

yow! the pc police at work again! (** etc)

Last edited by cornemuse; 10-03-2013 at 11:01 AM. Reason: add comment
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  #25  
Old 10-03-2013, 11:16 AM
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The German ones had the 1.5, the US ones (and later Jettas) the high performance 1.6. The bigger one wasted fuel, relatively speaking, but had more torque.
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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)
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  #26  
Old 10-03-2013, 12:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim B. View Post
I would "NEVER" trade auto safety just to save a bunch of gallons of fuel.

Cars like that little VW Rabbit really scare me.

You can't argue with the laws of physics.

Even a nonrusted, solid and good running w123 240 Diesel automatic would be a more sensible choice.

SAFETY first.

Always.
Safety is mostly an illusion and is all relative. If an 18 wheeler plows into you, flat is flat, dead is dead. I don't care if my corpse is wrapped in a deflated air bag. I wore out several good motorcycles in my younger life and the Rabbit seems like a tank in comparison. It is more visible too.

The five speed na diesel Rabbit moves ok if you run the piss out of it. It is fun to run the piss out of it. The AC makes a significant difference. I click it off when I want a boost. Noisy cruise is my biggest complaint. The tdi motor in the Rabbit would be a little diesel hot rod.

I have to make a decision on the Rabbit. I kinda want to keep it but it seems I am getting lazier and my attention span is getting shorter all of the time. Too many other things to play with. I don't want to put a clutch in it.

I'll probably let it go and if I miss it I'll buy a better one. Maybe a truck.
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  #27  
Old 10-03-2013, 01:22 PM
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Clutch is not a big deal on those guys. i think I even still have the centering tool.
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  #28  
Old 10-03-2013, 04:28 PM
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Twitch-

NO NO! Do the clutch. It's easy , if you haven't done one. The Mk2 is a PITA because the subframe gets in the way, but the Mk 1 is a snap.
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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)
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  #29  
Old 10-03-2013, 07:50 PM
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Thanks Z
I've got timing belt and tensioner coming, engine mounts and shifter bushings. I will say parts are a lot cheaper than MB parts.
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  #30  
Old 10-03-2013, 08:05 PM
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I will say parts are a lot cheaper than MB parts.
Rebuilding the front end is a dollartwoninetyeight. Two struts and you can buy the lower control arms loaded for $25. Two tie rods. Done.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)
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