I own a 1.3 Mk1 Golf Driver, although it isn't a 1.3 anymore! I've fitted a 1.8 16v engine with all the injection parts, task and a half
but it's done 
. It's pretty much finished now (few little bits and bobs to add inside) and I am well pleased with the results and how I stuck at it the majority of last year, there were times when I wanted to give up but I'm glad I bloomin' well didn't. Bring on those trackdays!
More info on the Mk1 can be found on the Club GTI Forum:
http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69825
...I've turned my attention (some of my spare time) to the little 1272cc engine that lived in my Mk1 originally and I'm thinking of turning it into an engine for sprinting/racing. (long term project)
I think one or two of the Polo engines are slightly different to my GF coded 1272, Polo engines use dished pistons and flat cylinder heads from this era?
There isn't really much to them by the looks of things:
Off comes the alternator:
Rocker cover off:
Cold clearances, well, there wasn't any (thought I'd see how you do it for later):
Out comes a retaining spring and rocker finger to reveal the ball stud:
A rocker finger and spring yesterday:
Distributor and leads removed:
Oily close ups (one of the ball studs is quite heavily seized, so that will need replacing along with it's rocker finger from another cylinder head):
The open air workshop:
Fuel pump removed (need a blanking plate for the apeture):
Engine looking a bit bare now, alternator, distributor, water pump, belt, camshaft sproket all removed:
Camshaft end plate removed:
Camshaft removed:
Open air workshop looking a little busier, cylinder head removed!:
Bores are tiny!:
They dont look too bad for just shy of 100k miles:
Not sure what to make of the valves and their colours:
All 8 rocker fingers ready for action once more:
I will hopefully get the bottom end stripped down this weekend.
Brief plans:
Worked head, enlarged ports, 37mm intake, 32mm exhaust valves, ~300 degree camshaft, double valve springs, vernier pulley.
Twin 40 DCOE's.
Up the compression ratio by decking the block (if ok by sprint/race regs) if not, custom pistons.
Con rods should be ok to around 7500rpm(?) and the whole bottom end will be lightened and balanced along with a lighter flywheel.
I would like to go for a 16v head but I think this might be a little too complicated for now. So an 1.3 8v and a goal of 100bhp/litre it will be (or at least 100bhp atw). Pistons and Rods might be changed later down the line.
What do we all think? [:$]
There is a possibility I could use this engine for racing, in the 750MC Hot Hatch championship. If funds permit... these regulations would slightly alter the outcome of the engine, i.e. it would definately have to stay 8v, a rebore up to 0.060" max but the rest of the engine is pretty much free.
Oh and if you're wondering what car the engine might find a home in (the main reason I am posting this here), I was thinking of a Mk2 Polo Coupe (just over 700kgs standard), or even a Mk1 Polo but they are hard to come by and pricey. I'll be able to go a little berg-cup-esque with the bodywork for sprinting but not for racing.
but that one of Phil's does look ideal for what I would be after! 
)
