Got the motor tore apart, Tell me if you think I should change the timing chains:







I also got the dash back together. That was a big accomplishment for me considering there was lots of wiring mixed up in there and half of it missing.








You guys have to understand when I originally did the swap I had no clue what I was doing. I didnt have a wife or kids either so the main priority was to get it running and if something didnt work I would deal with it. Now that I have done a few more swaps I have a better idea of what to do and what is going on. I also learned a few more parts that are necessary to do a swap the "right" way. When I first got the car (for free I might add) it was nothing. Trash interior, no rims, no motor, no trans, so when I did this first I just put the shit in and didnt worry about how it looked, as I am sure you could tell. I slowly started changing things when I finally got it running. I lucked out and bought an 89 gli with full recaro interior and black carpet for $250. This is going to be the wifes car so I want as much to work as possible. When I did the swap first I added a tilt steering column so that is done. I just (hopefully) figured out the a/c wiring so that should work. I am even trying to get the cruise control to work. I dont know how that is going to be possible due to me running MK2 dash components with MK3 gauge cluster but I have an idea I am goint to try out. Any way, I hope you are enjoying the build so far. I didnt mean to ramble but I wanted to give a little background on the car in case you cared.

Seeing all the scattered parts so far, lets see a show of hands.........Who thinks this thing will never run again? LOL!!

seriously that car is SICK it screams VDUB .....and hey i also like that red mustang GT you got parked next to the jetta

It will run. You have too much determination for it not to run.

Timing chains? Definitely change them. It is worn like porn


Dash looks good!

Thanks guys! And uhhh, it WILL run! LOL!! The wife is off the next 6 days so not much work will get done but I am waiting on parts anyway, and I need someone to help me get the block on the stand. I can do a 1.8 myself, but the 2.8 is a little heavier.

Update ther, James Ole'Boy?

As promised, work was done today. I got the engine painted and started dressing it. I also got the brake booster and bracket in. I lost the damn peg that holds the booster to the pedal but I am sure it will turn up. I got the clutch master painted and drying so that will be installed tomorrow. I also got the cams out of the head and my spring compressor tool made. Its just a C-clamp with a couple metal pieces welded to it. I can post pics of that if you guys want to see it. Here are some pics of todays work:





Tomorrow I will 'hopefully' get the motor off the stand and dressed a little more. I want to dis-assemble the head and get it to the machine shop. I want to finish up the clutch and fill it with fluid, then bleed it all out. Also finish welding the down pipe and get it ready for porting, and then.......well, I am sure I can find something else to do, if I have time!

I got more work done but I am working on my computer too so further updates/pictures will be in a couple days. Check back!

As promised, more pics!

Got some accesories on the block.



I got the head back from the machine shop and assembled it today.




I also got the manifolds ported, here is a before and after pic!




And I also got my heat shield figured out.




A little bit 'o paint on dat der shield and she'll be good da go! LOL!

I wish I could afford a turbo setup. Instead I am going semi-high compression n/a. 10.5:1, eurospec cams, hopefully find a decently priced giac chip, mild port and polish on the head. Im not wasting money on a header, it actually cause a loss in power. Im better off porting the manifolds and down pipe, which I am doing. More work tomorrow!