Date:         Mon, 22 May 2000 10:42:03 EDT
Reply-To:     XrayboyAl@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alan Seeley <XrayboyAl@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Trio of Vanagons
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hello to the list. I have owned a 85 Vanagon for about 3 years. It has had
head leaks all this time but still runs pretty well. Only seems to leak water
on the outside of the heads.(so far). I am concerned but the lack of money to
pull the engine and replace the heads holds me back from fixing it. The
question I have is, I have an opportunity to purchase a running 86 Vanagon
(with no head probs, but a bit of bearing noise)
and a 84 Vanagon (non running but with a better body than both the 86 and my
85)
for $400 from someone I know. I want to use whatever parts I can to fix up
the 86 which has a bit of driver side front grill damage. and then either
sell the 85 and 84 or combine them to make a good Vanagon and have the 85s
engine pulled repaired and put into the 84. Are all the body parts
interchangeable? I know the grill is a bit different on the 86. and because
of the bearing noise can anyone give me a rough estimate of what it will cost
to pull and overhaul the 86's engine in the next year or so.
I am from Wisconsin so if there are any members on the list form this area I
would love to hear from you. I also Own a 72 beetle that I am hoping to
slowly restore.
I am starting to think this may be the beginning of a compulsion!
Any help I can get I appreciate as I am not a skilled mechanic..and have a
lot to learn.
Thanks, Alan