Date:         Mon, 26 Jun 2000 17:41:11 -0400
Reply-To:     Chris Gkikas <theerion@gator.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Gkikas <theerion@gator.net>
Subject:      First Timer Overhaul... Some Questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello again, everybody.

We got back from the Phish shows in Atlanta without a hitch in our
80 Westy, with the exception of miserable power on hills.  We broke
down three blocks from home after a 800 mile round trip.  Thank
heavens for small favors, but now......

The Problem:
Died at a stoplight yesterday, oil not even showing up on the
dipstick, following 2.5hrs of driving at 65mph.  Added oil,
couldn't get it to start (whirring starter, slow).  Two cops push
up off the road and we're towed home by (thank god) AAA.  This
morning I cleaned up the (dirty) points and adjusted them, as well
as the idle air screw on the carb.  It started up (rough) and idled
roughly, and all kinds of white smoke started coming out of the
breather box tube which hangs underneath (charcoal filter not
present on my vehicle).  Bad news, so I got a compression tester
from Discount Auto Parts and the readings were as follows:  Cyl
1... Zero.  Cyl 2... 30lbs.  Cyl 3... 80lbs.  Cyl 4... 50lbs.

Bad news, and all things considered (including the advice of Carl
at the dealership)... I'm looking at an overhaul to find either a
busted piston, wrecked rings, thrown rod, all of the above, the sky
is falling, etc.

So... First Time Overhaul looms in the next week.  I've removed the
transmission to replace the front oil seal before successfully, so
I sort of know what to expect with doing projects of this
magnitude.  Pics of the whole deal can be seen at
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/9860

Questions!
1.  Can anybody give me a "ballpark figure" on what it would cost
to replace my pistons and cylinders?
2.  Is there such a thing as "remanufactured" pistons/cylinders?
Ballpark figure on these?
3.  I'm removing the tranny and engine together, then separate.
Thoughts on this?  It was the advice given to me by my friend at
the dealership.
4.  Ballpark figure for a valve job?  (never had one)

Thanks in advance, everyone.
Best regards and continued luck in life,
Chris Gkikas, looking at another greasy episode.