Things to fit before engine refitting

[dub-disaster]

Hi all,
     Will be sloting my new motor in hopefuly this weekend if it's not to cold.The heads on and torqued up the gearbox clutch and flywheel will all be fitted and it's been timed up with a dti.
Its the first time I'm refitting a motor so just want a bit of advise on things that are going to be alot harder to refit once the motors back (manifolds?) in from people who have done it plenty of times.Also any suggestions on bits that should be replaced before refitting other than the obvious bits like plugs leads filters and gaskets.
  Also is it worth replacing thermostat housing and both sensors and thermo stat I didn't have any problems with them before but arethey service items or just replace when broke mainly ?
     Thanks in advance Antony

[youngprodigys]

water pump! the hours you will save if you had to do either of this at a later date will put a big smile on your face.
the blue temperature sender is definately worth it - only get a VAG one though.

id fit as much to the engine while its off as you can - once its in the bay your access will be restricted to most of the bolts

[dub-disaster]

water pumps done i used a gsf one though wish id payed the extra and got a vw one although the gsf they gave me had metal blades and i know vag only sell plastic ones thesedays. ill bung a blue temp sender on there any one else got any advise ?

[samg40]

I personally wouldnt bother with a blue temp sender if it was ok before, its not like its hard to get to is it.

[cheys03]

Things I'd want on before fitting the engine into the bay are mostly the bits of the back on the block which you'd have to lean over for/reach for from underneath once the engine's fitted:

Oil breather pod & pipework
Starter motor
Water pipe
Knock sensor
ISV + all pipework, especially to the inlet mani and either bung up or put in a vacuum pipe in the T-piece bit
Inlet manifold
Injector rail & loom (making sure the ISV is plugged in)

[dub-disaster]

thanks for that list cheys03 thats exactly what i was after ill make sure all of those bits are on there before fitting would have forgotton most of those, just out of intrest you recntly bought a new thermostat housing and stat and sensors how much did that lot cost ?

[cheys03]

No problem mate. I'm sure I've probably forgotten something. Just stand infront of the engine with a cup of tea for 5mins and think it through. For the thermostat etc. I think you have me mistaken for someone else, I've not bought those bits for a while.  This thread http://www.polog40.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,5869.msg42226.html#msg42226 maybe?

[youngprodigys]

i bought a thermostat housing not that long ago and it was around the £35 mark, thermostat was £9

[Etches]

I'd leave the inlet off although it is tricky to put the isv n that on when the engines in if youve not done before. I just think that its easier to drop the engine in without it on. Box , starter and  your turbo manifold and turbo would ideally be on tbh.