So, in my quest for a bigger engine I came across this ad. What do you guys think?
Of course, I'd want all the paperwork to confirm internals, etc, and contact the building to verify it.
Could be a good foundation to build off of...
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That's the kind of C/R Stan likes - or maybe a tad higher 
Call the guy - if you can get some particulars than the guys at Brothers VW Machine in Ontario should be able to tell you just what's in there. Looks like a fair price to me.
There's no cam listed. 9.5: 1 is great if it's an FK8 or similar. I'd think it a bit high for a W120 in a speedster.
I'm curious though- don't you already have a used engine? I'd absolutely buy a new longblock from CB or someone similar if you already have a running engine and want peace of mind (unless you are planning to have Greg open it up and check it out for you).
IMO unless I really know the car or engine sometimes for peace of mind as Stan said go for new the cost difference is minimal if you have an issue with the used engine. I hate playing roulette.
I didn't get a promising reply. So to @IaM-Ray - no roulette!
It's got 1.4 rockers, so as Stan surmised it probably has an FK8 or similar. It comes with intake manifolds, but they're probably for IDA's, so you won't be using those. If you got it for something a little closer to $2,000 it might be worth doing; then you could have Greg go through it. As the heads, crank, rods, and piston/cylinder assemblies are all used, I would want to see one head off (to confirm piston size and stroke) and then pull the case half off to confirm condition of the crank, rods, cam and bearings.
If he won't do that- you're buying someone's used crap, and you can only put value on what you can see. Al
You would hope that it had an FK in it, but so many people pop a set of Autocraft 1.4:1 rockers onto any old cam without understanding that they are only designed to be used in certain combinations.
As was said earlier - a little odd that such a critical component of a hot VW engine is not named.
Here is the most recent reply:
"Thanks for getting back to me. I don't have the build sheet for the engine from Brothers. The engine has never been run prior to the new engine block. Everything was replaced new except the crank, pistons, rods, and the heads. Other than that Brothers replaced everything else with new parts including valve covers, rockers, push rods and tubes, deep sump, engine block, oil pump and all the valve seats etc..I asked for 9.5 to 1 compression since I was going to run 44 IDF Weber Carbs. Lastly, Brothers did the initial break-in and I never installed it in the car after that. I know Reynato mentioned that they sell the same long block for $3,500."
I asked a few more questions, but he isn't moving on price... so it is likely a no go for me...
Everything is mentioned except the cam. For an engine like that, it's extremely weird.
A lot of missing pieces in all of it... I'll be passing...
"Everything was replaced new except the crank, pistons, rods, and the heads."
That's most of the long-block right there - so what was new - the gasket set and the seive oil strainer?
You are better off leaving this engine - sounds like it's a little high up on the lairey/race scale rather than what you seem to need which is a reliable everyday street-able motor with a few more horses thrown in.
According to the ad the big plus is a new case, as well as the other major components (crank, rods, pistons/cylinders and heads) being in acceptable condition. As well as no info on the cam (which I find hard to believe he can't remember), which model the 044 heads are is not mentioned. I could be wrong, but those intake ports look a little large for a 2165 that I think you'll want to set up for 6,000 rpm redline, so unless you're heart is set on a 4,000-7500rpm screamer you may be selling the heads and looking for a set with a little less port volume. As I said before, if the seller would consent to a teardown, everything checked out, and IF he would agree to a more reasonable price, then it would be worth considering. It'll be interesting to see if he still has it in a month or 2, if the price has come down, and if he remembers what cam is in it. A lot of "ifs" have to fall into place...Al
PS- In the ad it states that Brothers Machine charges $3500 for this combo. I'm guessing that means all brand new parts. With the only major new component being the case, that's why I think it's not such a great deal, especially since you're not going to use it as is.
A 2165 set up for 6,000rpm redline with the right cam/rockers, carbs, exhaust, and 40x35mm heads with the right intake port volume for the engine size and target redline would be a great Speedster engine; great powerband, easy to take care of and drive any where. Set up to make power to substantially higher- not so much...
It would take 10 minutes to have the oil pump out and see what's scribed on the end of the cam with a small torch and a dentist's mirror.
Something tells me that they are a little quiet because the cam perhaps puts the engine in a very niche market, where as a 2165 in general will always be popular in a number of applications.
If the price was lower, personally I would buy and put a different "cooler" pair of heads, new cam and rockers and new lifters in it, moving the cam, 1.4:1s matched lifters and heads onto a race motor guy. But it would have to be $1000 cheaper to go to those lengths.
You don't always get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get.
Always.