Date:         Thu, 20 Jul 2000 14:45:52 -0700
Reply-To:     Ron Bloomquist <roadcow@mcn.org>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ron Bloomquist <roadcow@mcn.org>
Subject:      Re: air cooled eng convert.
Comments: To: John <johnpatt@warwick.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

John wrote:

>Even an in-line VW motor can present serious challenges to the
>balanced design of the Vanagon.

I guess he is referring to the lean to the left!

>While some conversion kits are well intended, ALL of them
>leave "loose ends" that keeps the owner working on the conversion
>indefinitely. The rattles, drumming noises and odd quirks can go on for
>years after the so-called conversion.

Yes, you're so right.  Since I installed a 1991 2.2 Subaru Legacy in my 1984
full camper I have driven 17, 213 miles (I just checked).  I discovered my
crank seal was leaking when I drove the first thousand or so.  (I should
have checked it before I installed the engine, as recommended.  I replaced
that seal and both cam seals and threw in a timing belt - just because I was
there, (couple of hours to R & R).  The engine has been bone dry since.
What else?  Oh yeah, the stove rattled until I learned to store my hand
towel between the grill and the lid.

I know it's not Friday yet but some things are too funny to hold back!
<grin>

PS.  I have already had folks wanting to buy it but I ain't gonna let it go.
I wanted the perfect camper with trouble free motoring.  I now have it.  I
only wish I had a limited slip differential but that ain't Subaru's fault.

Ron