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Date:         Mon, 10 Jan 2000 09:29:14 EST
Reply-To:     JKrevnov@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Some Engine Conversions (fomerly "TO WATERBOXER OR NOT"??)
Comments: To: warren8@earthlink.net
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Warren: I read your e-mail with great interest. Finally, someone with real-world experience and not a financial connection has spoken up regarding the merits of the various engine conversions.

I have been driving Vanagons since 1989. I currently have 2 Syncri: a 1986 and a1990. After becoming familiar with my first one, a 1984 sunroof, and then replacing its exhaust system, I soon realized that there has to be a better way. The Waterboxer is such a series of engineering compromises I swore I would never rebuild one. Long before the Kennedy kit became available, I started to sort out a Subaru conversion but, new Vanagons kept cropping up before I was forced to rebuild or convert. That no longer is the case.

Logically and intuitively, the Subaru is the way to go. Subaru did what VW should have done; i.e., take the dimensions of the flat four and create a true water cooled engine around them. When I look at the two designs side by side, I can imagine a bright-eyed Subaru designer standing at his drafting table while taking measurements from a VW engine and saying,"Let's see. The crank centerline goes here. The camshaft is here... ".

Since I have already melded the two electrical schemes, the only thing that gives me pause is the low-hanging oil pan, particularly on the Syncro. It is not that I do any intentional off-roading but, I live in an area with harsh winters and the resultant poorly surfaced roads. Kennedy's solution of sectioning the oil pan is not acceptable to me. I have heard of converting the Subaru engine to a dry sump lubrication system. Do you have any information on this?

I am a degreed engineer with much experience in the design and fabrication of all manner of things mechanical, electronic and electromechanical. I associate with many men of great skill who are master craftsmen of the old school. Since one of my greatest pleasures is to bring what I have committed to paper into three-dimensional reality, I maintain a rather complete prototype shop for my own use. Let me know what you need and, time permitting, I will help you in return for any significant cost of materials and hired-out time.

Richard


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