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Date:         Fri, 21 Jul 2000 10:38:13 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Stann <ChrisS@INFORMS.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Stann <ChrisS@INFORMS.com>
Subject:      Re: IMO: engine Converting = Ignorance of what is out there...
Comments: To: KENWILFY@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <5b.8dff9b7.26a9beee@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Ken,

I admire your customers for sticking with a VW engine for their conversion choice!

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of KENWILFY@aol.com Sent: Friday, July 21, 2000 9:58 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: IMO: engine Converting = Ignorance of what is out there...

I think the most telling thing about whether the conversion option is a good one or not is what VW itself did in South Africa. Here in the US they were basically hounded by problems with the waterboxer even to the point of folks banning together and winning a class action law suit against them (see vanagon.com for details) because of the poor design/high failure of the head gaskets on this engine. So when they started making Vanagons in SA (which on the whole is a much harsher environment than the US) they ditched the boxer and started putting in the in-line 4 and 5 cylinder engines. So I really wouldn't get to upset with people "descrating" their vans by only doing something that the VW factory does now as stock (I think this is more like a retrofit), and what VW dealers in SA do to all the waterboxer Vanagons that come in with problems (change the motor to an in-line 4).

Finally, I deal with Vanagons every day, and, sadly, almost every van I get here needs some type of major repair (head gaskets, blown engine, etc). Some of this is caused by abuse, but most is simply the poor design of the engine rearing it's ugly head. I have a van here now with only 60k miles on the original engine with head gaskets leaking so bad they are peeing all over the place just sitting there. I have another van here that has only around 65k miles that just blew it's second engine and now is awaiting a in-line 4 conversion. I think it is sad to find perfectly good Vanagons in the junk yard, and I really think that anyone, who, by whatever means, keeps this from happening, is doing a good thing. They are preserving our Vans for the next person to enjoy.

Sorry about the rant but it is Friday.

Thanks, Ken Wilford http://www.vanagain.com John 3:16

New Phone (856)-327-4936 Shop: (856)-765-1583 Fax: (856)-327-2242


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