Thank-you all for your guidance. Just heard from the shop- turns out:
- failed forward transsmision mount. Turns out VS ( Hawaian Gardens) used a non VW mount, - not a generic or performance part--- but a home made mount- urgh!- I'm the original owner, so it came like this from VS.
- the two 27mm engine mount bolts were loose (mechanic was able to back both out by hand once the engine was supported by a jack).
- on the lift engine/tran could be shifted /moved 1cm fwd/back.
-fortunatelly no rust/cracls on the horns/pan.
... so engine is out, all transmission mounts will be replaced with German VW mounts (correct parts for the year pan).. the truss bar and longer clutch arm will be installed, and fuel filters replaced with flesh metal Napa Gold.
Not a pleasant early spring surprise, but... after 13 yrs- no serious damage, and an opportunity to replace bad parts and upgrade a few bits I had been storing for such a time as the engine coming out. And I get to test drive the new mechanic/shop ( and hets to test drive me as a customer) my recently retired mechanic recommended. Only sad bit is this new shop is not open to teach me- use me as an extra set of hands- with my repairs,
With a little luck I get the car back on Friday and can get back to driving it daily now that the sun is out.
Thank you again.