i have a couple of xsara engines: a mostly intact 1.8, and a VTS lump that has shat a rod. my plan is to rebuild the VTS head, stick it on the 1.8 bottom end and run it on carbs in my 309.

now i'm coming to the point where i need to start building the engine so being the novice that i am i could do with some words of experience.

firstly, won't a smaller swept volume with the same sized combustion chamber give a lower compression ratio?

secondly, do the XU7 pistons have cutouts or will they need machining to allow clearance for the bigger valves (also bearing in mind the head has been skimmed)?

thirdly, what head gasket will i need? are they pretty much the same apart from cylinder bore? and i assume i'll need a thicker one with the skimmed head?

fourthly, before i start taking the XU7 to bits, it has been stood a while with no inlet manifold and the ports unprotected so theres probably crap in the bores, would it be a good idea to just take the head off and give the bores and piston top a wipe down with a lightly oiled rag to pick up the crap? i also heard from someone that turning the crank while the head is off would disturb the liners and i'd need new liner seals, this puts me in a predicament if the engine isn't at TDC already as it would mean turning the crank while there is an unknown quantity of crud stuck to the cylinder walls. any suggestions?

fifthly, on the subject of carbs, i've been looking at twin 40s but then today i heard someone say they aren't big enough for a GTI6, is there any truth in this?

and if anyone has any other random advice feel free to throw it at me

The XU7 is 16V?, if not the whole job becomes a bit more tricky.

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Member of Peugeot Sport Club Sweden
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when you say it would need 45s, you mean trying to run it on 40s would be utterly pointless?

and so what about the liner seals? does this mean i have to take off the head, clean out the bores, then put the head back on so i can turn the crank to the right position?

changing liner seals is a huge job, requires a total engine stripdown.. i would just fit the engine as it is, spin it over on the starter to get oil pressure then run it

true i think the men in white coats are on their way to tie jonnie up before he gets his hands on any more XUs