Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 14:28:53 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Conversion
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
John, my first vanagon was an 85 GL WITH THE 1.9L engine. It was hell
for stout. I drove it 205,000 miles an never - repeat - never - had to
do anything to the basic engine in all that mileage. I did have to
replace a water pump at 195,000 miles, and I replaced the power steering
pump once, as well as overhaul the power steering rack, but never had
any internal problems. When I sold it it was going strong, although
using a little oil. But it never gave any trouble. If I still had the 85
GL, on my experience with the 88 GL with the 2.1L I now have, I would
not replace the 1.9L with a 2.1L. If it has the 1.9L in it, replace with
a rebuilt 1.9L. There's not enough difference between the two to warrant
the hassles of changing to the bigger engine. And the 1.9L doesn't have
some of the problems the 2.1L is troubled by. Besides, 60 to 70 mph is
60 to 70 mph, no matter which engine you are running.
Another thing, with 15 100-lb bags of plaster on board, I drove my 1.9L
powered 85 GL from Anchorage to Kenai, Alaska (about 150 miles) through
the Chugach Mountains BEFORE they improved the road. She never faltered.
Like I said, the 1.9L is a stout engine.
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
John Flaherty wrote:
>
> Jason:
>
> Not all waterboxer owners feel that way. I've been perfectly satisfied with
> my 1.9. The engine itself has been very reliable. It's always started on the
> first try whether the temperature was 0 or 100 degrees. I've had it for 3
> years, and about 30,000 miles. It currently has 161,000 miles. I've never
> done anything to it. I've replaced some peripherals, such as the AFM, but
> never touched the engine. The PO said the heads were done at about 90,000.
> When it finally does go, as all engines will, I'll throw another 1.9
> waterboxer in it in a heartbeat.
>
> Regards,
> John Flaherty
> '84 GL
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "wayout" <wayout@IX.NETCOM.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2001 11:46 PM
>
> > Hey everyone...
> >
> > I was surprised that when asked about upgrading a Wasserboxer to a bigger
> > Wasserboxer, vanagon owners ignore the question and say "DO A CONVERSION!"
> > That says alot. So, the last few hours I have been researching...
> >
> > The Tiilco conversion makes me nervous with excitement thinking about a
> > BRAND NEW inline engine!
> > Then I feel like having a burbon when I realize that the kit costs $3600 +
> > Shipping.
> > Not necessarily overpriced I guess, but just a little more than I can
> spend
> > at the moment.
> > I KNOW that there are other ways to go, but after knowing that the Tiilco
> > is available I i'll save my dough and do that when I can afford it.
> >
> >
> > Armed with this new information I must now ask something else...
> >
> > Let me re-state that I am looking at a handful of Vanagons that ALL are
> > between 130-180K Miles
> > I figure that new heads are in order for any of these high mileage vans.
> > But... what if the P.O.(s) have put on new heads once already...
> >
> > The question is:
> > a) How can I tell if the engine core is too tired for it to be worth
> > putting new head on?
> > b) How many times can a wasserboxer take new heads without an engine
> rebuild?
> > c) Are coolant leaks the only reason to change them?
> > d) If the dealer doesnt know anything about the van, what should I look
> for
> > besides coolant leaks?
> >
> >
> > I appriciate everyones forthcomingness (is that a real word?) to my newbie
> > questions.
> > Thanks very much everyone!
> >
> > Jason Loewenstein
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I have an 85 w/1.9 WBX.
> > It's a GL and I'm not unsatisfied at all with the performance. They last
> > longer than the 2.1's.
> > Is the 85 you found a Westy? If was going up and down mountains in a westy
> > with a 1.9, I suppose I would wish to install a Tiico, Subaru or Boston
> Bob
> > 2.1.
> > Good luck,
> > Mark Ingalls
> >
> > From: wayout <wayout@IX.NETCOM.COM>
> > Reply-To: wayout <wayout@IX.NETCOM.COM>
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Probably a really old question
> > Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 23:42:30 -0800
> > Hello All,
> > Im looking at a few vanagons to buy, all of them have 140 - 190K on them.
> > There is an 85 that has a great body for $1900 and at this price I can
> > afford to think about replacing the engine... is there any complication to
> > fitting a 2.1 in there instead of the 1.9?
> > Is it really worth the 8 HP?
> > What are your thoughts please???
> > Thanks folks.
> > Jason Loewenstein
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
> >
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