Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2001 15:34:01 +1200
Reply-To: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject: Re: Engine conversion
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>> Any decent competent general mechanic will be able to work on a converted
>> car.
>
>The problem is that truly competent Vanagon mechanics are few and far
>between. And some of them are unwilling to work on conversions. That reduces
>the already slim options for who will work on your van. If you have a local
>mechanic that will work on your converison that's great.... but consider the
>the guy may move or go out of business one day... and if you travel to
>remote places the options are even fewer. The way I think of conversions is
>that due to the reduced service options, conversions may be more appropriate
>for those who can do the service work themselves and/or those who don't
>expect to be traveling far from their local mechanic that works on
>conversion.
>
>>If you don't like all-makes garages,
>
>I'd have to be hard pressed to take my Vanagon to anyone who did not work on
>them all the time.... not a good idea.
NO Vanagon mechanics at all in NZ.
>>For modified electrics, take it to an
>> outfit specializing in multimake electrics.
>
>Still not the best idea... much better to take to someone that specializes
>in your vehicle/engine.
If electrics are modified these guys may be LOST. Some specialize in
modified electrics and conversions.
>And what if you have a problem while traveling to remote places?
Admitted.
>Not really.... I know one of the best Vanagon & Syncro mechanics... VW
>authorized service center... he specifically stated he won't touch a
>converion... the incompetence he's concerned with is that of the conversion
>installer... doesn't want to deal with someone else's screw ups.
That's a copout on his part.
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
VW & mollusc nut
1984 VW Caravelle (currently SVX engine; waiting for a Porsche trans)
1985 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma 2.0 (FWD), for sale
1986 CE80 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel (extaxi)
1989 CE96 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel wagon
1989 CT170 Toyota Corona Select 2.0 diesel (taxi)
