I just recently acquired a complete 2.1 engine to install in my '84 westy.  Before i bolt it in, however, i am planning on fully rebuilding it so i have an essentially new engine that i won't need to worry about for the next many years.

Problem is i've never rebuilt an engine before.

Now, i've adjusted valves, dropped my gas tank, and performed other sundry repairs and upgrades, but never the full enchilada.  I am mechanically competent/comfortable and have the time and inclination (ie. $$) to "do it right", but what is realistic to expect for the first rebuild?  I'm planning on going the lilly route, but don't want to drop big big bucks into it if it is common for someone's first rebuild to only last 50k miles or so... learning curve and all that.

I'll probably be falling asleep to the bently late at night more than once, i suspect :-).

Secondly, the only thing i know this engine didn't come with is the cat, muffler, and the adjacent pipes to each of those.  Are cats just cats?  Can i use one that is more readily available than a vanagon's (ie. domestic) and just have a muffler shop make the adapter parts (since i need to replace these anyway?).  Just wondering if there was something specific to cat converters and thier particular engine.

Thanks, and you'll probably hear more questions out of me regarding this issue... i'm pretty excited to get it apart and then back together!

-Damon

'84 Westy

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