3b block vs aby

[QuattroFever]

Any differences between them? Part no's different?

[spink]

main difference(and possiblyt only difference) is the 3b uses the water pump to tension the belt,the aby has a fixed pump with a separate tensioner

[Error404]

so does the 3B oil pump fit the ABY block?

[Jamo]

Yeah i'm sure it was fitted on Ross's old engine before it went basil brush

[terrybullwon]

3B seems to have alittle more meat in some places.

[caterpillar]

dont think there are any big differece in this blocks.. all the parts around ( oilpump etc) from other audi engine will fit... the diesel 2,4 or 2,5 have LOT of more beaf around..!

[rs200]

3b block have idler on oil pump and ABY have separate idler on tensioner .
my opinion is that ABY is much better than 3B.

you can make combination of 3B oil pump on ABY block , but not reverse.
than you must change timming belt (147 vs 151 tetth).

[Error404]

Hmmm...so anyone know if I can I use an ABY water pump, tensioner and belt on my 3B block?

IIRC from Carlos' thread you can't use that setup on the 7A block due to there not being enough material to tap into to mount the tensioner?

[4WheelDrifter]

I thought there was no difference between the two apart from the 3 bolt holes for the ABY tensioner. But it was pointed out to me that those holes indeed have extra meat inside the water jacket. I've checked my own blocks since to confirm that's the only difference.