VW Type 4 Engine differences

I have a CU engine that has spun its front crankshaft bearing, case is probably beyond saving. Could I transfer the crank, cam, cylinders etc to, say, a 1700 CE engine case? Are bearing journals etc the same?
Haynes suggests the cases are identical, but I know the CU has some differences, eg, hydraulic and non-hydraulic tappets, Crankcase breather housing. Anything else I need to be wary of? Thanks.

 

The cases are not identical but they are similar enough that all the components will swap from one to the other – main bearing sizes are all the same regardless of capacity.

 

1700, 1800 and 2.0l main bearings are all the same size but the 2.0l has smaller big end bearing.

I’ve never seen a link here to the type 4 engines – let me know if you find it, it might be interesting.

 

The cylinder registers on the 1700 heads are smaller than the 1800 and 2.0l. 1700 and 1800 cranks have the same journal size but the 2.0l has smaller big ends – VW offset ground the same basic crank to increase the stroke.

 

The samba peeps seem to prefer 1700 cases, they've had an easier life and apparently there's more meat inside the case between the barrels, so to use one is not a backward step. Just the barrel size thing to overcome.

 

Hoping to keep the crankshaft, camshaft, pistons and barrel etc, but maybe it would be better to get the damaged case line bored and the thrust faces remade. If I can find anyone who does this stuff these days! Any help appreciated, thanks.

 

I had my case linebored and cleaned by these people in the Sailsbury area. Very good and very helpful, I recommend them.
http://www.formhalls.com/

I understand Stateside also do linebores.

 

1800 or 2.0l cylinders fit a 1700 crankcase, it’s only the 1700 heads that are different. All the parts from a 2.0l can be fitted to a 1700 crankcase.

 

I have a type 4 case for £80 if your interested you can check it out before you pay to make sure it will suit your needs.

 

A 1700 crankcase – bargain at £80.

 

I was looking at one on eBay, but I think I should take your one. Where are you?

 

@MikeS56 pm’d you.

 

Thinking about it a bit more – the CU 2.0l case will be single relief (originally with hydraulic cam/followers), a CA 1700 will be double relief; not a problem as long as the corresponding oil pick up pipe is used. Make sure you use the oil pick up with the CA case from Ian Jones shown in pic.

 

Thanks, that makes sense. It’s the long oil pickup pipe I need.