Mobile Dimensional used motor?

[northernss454]

Hi My neighbour just put the crank thru his motor on his mill,he asked me to look into seeing if I could find a used one?I guess its A VW engine,the model of the saw is a 128,and all he said its was the larger VW engine.Not sure if theres a wrecker of sawmills or something like that,if anyone could paoint me in the right direction that would be great.
Thanks
I guess they are different then the caR ENGINES.

[StorminN]

Hi northern,

Your friend's Mobile Dimension motor is most likely based on the VW 1600cc motor. I say "based on" because they're built from the crank up at the Mobile Dimension factory... the crank on the sawmill motor is longer than a normal crank on a VW Bug / VW Bus motor. The motors have changed over the years, too... my old MD 127 has a single port 1600, and the newer 128's have a dual port [EDIT] 1800. If you can't find a used MD motor around, your friend should call Ron at Mobile Mfg. and ask them how much it would be to rebuild...

-Norm.

[moonhill]

Back when I worked in a garage, we had just such an engine come in with trouble.  If I recall it was single port, MD used larger pistons and jugs to up the power.  It could be worth the effort to check with a VW shop that still handles the air cooled engines, Souther California would be the area to look into.   Search the web, too.  I think the crank is stock, although they are build able.  Some have pumped out 400hp from the little buggers. 

Tim

[Fla._Deadheader]

I have a 1600 sitting in the storage bay, in Sebastian, Fl.
It developed a slight heavy tick and I shut it off and bought a New Honda.
Don't know anything about VW's, but it is complete with starter, carb, generator, dist.
Most sheet metal is gone.  Take $200.00 + S&H.

[DanG]

Not sure what you mean by "put the crank through his engine."  If you could clarify that, we'd be better able to help.  Meanwhile, I'll try to clear up a few other things:

The "larger engine" on a 128 is not a 1600 Beetle engine.  It is a highly modified "Transporter" engine, know as the 1800.  Actual displacement is 1835 cc.  The mods include cutting out the rear end of the case and re-machining to install a large bearing to carry the 7 groove sheave that drives the sawmill.  The crankshaft is not a standard VW crank, either.  It has been extended by the MD folks.

I just went through all of this stuff myself.  I have the Model 128 with the "larger" engine, too.  Mine turned wimpy on me, and just got wimpier and wimpier until it was pretty much useless.  I looked all over the place for a used engine in an effort to save some money and a whole bunch of work.  I came up empty on that, but found a good mechanic to help me rebuild my engine.  We did it right, with new jugs and pistons, and rebuilt heads, all new bearings throughout, etc.  Basically, the only parts that are not new are the crank, connecting rods, and the case itself.  I got all of the parts from MD, and ended up with about $1200 in the overhaul.  That doesn't count any labor costs, as my friend and I did all of the work.  It turned out that I had a broken ring that took out the lands on the piston, and caused all of that grief.  I could have gotten away with just replacing that jug and piston, without breaking the engine all the way down, but I decided that I just wanted to have a brand new engine.  I don't regret it one little bit! ;D 8) 8)

I strongly recommend that your neighbor call MD and talk this thing over with Ron or Jim.  I also recommend that he not throw his money away on used parts, or even locally obtained new parts.  Except for a few little things like points and plugs, I have found MD to be the best source for everything, as well as the only source for much of it.

[StorminN]

The "larger engine" on a 128 is not a 1600 Beetle engine.  It is a highly modified "Transporter" engine, know as the 1800.  Actual displacement is 1835 cc.

Well, I learn something new every day... Thanks DanG!

-Norm.

[northernss454]

Thanks,he said the crank broke .The overhaul was estimated at 5 grand.And yes Dan your right its  1835 engine,I asked him today.He might just be looking into another mill.But I will keep looking thanks guys.

[Bruce_A]

I just called mobile mfg.  1835 crank kit and upper end kit together is $1230.00 if the block is good.  New motor complete was $7700.00.   New mill with the big motor starts at $18850.00.  good luck

[karl]

Good info you rec'd.
I would agree that the first step is to determine the extent of the damage and then talk with Ron @ MD.
Those little motors sure ain't cheap. We had MD rebuild our tired but running 1600 a couple of years ago- it cost around $3100 with the shipping from coast to coast. We were able to save our tin and block as well as carb, etc.
Looking for a good used engine for an MD is about the same as searching for the HOly Grail I 'spect.
Kinda wonder why they haven't upgraded to something a bit more common/available/economical ???