Date:         Mon, 11 Sep 2000 15:34:50 EDT
Reply-To:     RallyXer@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Heath Vogt <RallyXer@AOL.COM>
Subject:      What to look for when buying????
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I'm finally going to go look at a '87 Vanagon Syncro this friday.  I looked at it several weeks ago and it had a bad starter so I couldn't drive it.  The general condition is o.k. (at least good enough for me to go look at it again) but I don't know a whole lot about waterboxers or syncros, or Vanagons for that matter (that's why I got on this list three weeks ago when I first looked at it!).  I know basic automotive, I know air cooled VW's pretty well.  What should I look for on a Watercooled Syncro Vanagon GL?  It's got 108,000 miles on it and the locking rear differential.  I need it to last 20-30,000 in the next year (and would hope for 50,000 before I need a new (swapped) engine).  How do I tell if I'm going to have head trouble (assuming I can't take it to a reputable mechanic - haven't found one in Tulsa in the year I've been here)?  Is there something special I should look for in the Syncro Drivetrain?  If I have problems with the syncro drivetrain can I just pull the !
drive shaft and the front axles/CV's and run it as a two wheel drive?

Any help would be greatly apreciated.

Heath