Engines
How to check the Coolant (Water) Temperature Gauge
(Clicking on a photo will bring up a larger image on screen)
Normal operation is for the coolant warning indicator light to flash a few times when you turn the ignition key to the ‘ON’ position and then go off. Once the car is started and the engine warms up, the needle should gradually move to the right. How far right, depends upon the condition of the cooling system – thermostat operating correctly, correct concentration and level of coolant, type of driving, etc.
The ‘temperature sender’ (for the fuel injected Mk2) is located on the top of › Continue reading
Engine codes and conversion options
I’ll refer to each engine by it’s first 2 letters of the engine number.
Stock Engines for Mk1
some of these may appear in an early Mk2:
I think there’s some 1.1 and 1.3l engines that were also fitted, but if you’ve got one, keep it cos it’s a bit of a European novelty 
JB – 1.5L 8v Carb Approx 70BHP
Found in mk1′s and mk2′s til ’82
Simple upgrade to 1.8 EX Carb engine
FR – 1.6L 8v Carb Approx 85BHP
Found on GLS Model
Simple upgrade to 1.8 EX Carb engine
EG 1.6i, 8v Approx 110BHP, All Mk1 injection models and Mk2 until 1983
This engine can compete happily with the 1.8 injection engines thus a KR would be a starting point for an upgrade as the fueling system is similar.
Stock Engines for Mk2
EW – 1.6l 8v carb approx 75BHp
Easy upgrade is to an EX as very little needs to be changed.
EX – 1.8l 8v carb approx 90BHp
Easy upgrade would be a KR on side-draught carbs. Fuel injection requires new pump and fuel lines.
DX – 1.8l 8v K-jet injection approx 110BHp
Easy upgrade would be a KR running K-jet injection.
KR – 1.8l 16v K-jet Injection approx 135BHp – Import (LHD) only
› Continue reading