Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 13:23:02 EST
Reply-To: Chgolynch@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sean Lynch <Chgolynch@AOL.COM>
Subject: Question of VIN and misc. sundries
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Last night I went out to examine my latest catch, an '84 GL, Assuan Brown
and that taupe color. Previous owner had yet to drop off the keys, but I
presume I'll get them when I go get the engine. Engine's out, and broke, but
that's fine, as she has a perfect, dent-free body, good rubber, and straight
bumpers and endcaps. Nary a spot of rust on her undersides. For $200, I
figure it was a bargain. Especially when I have a recently rebuilt 1.9L with
a 1yr warranty to stick in her. My question lies in the VIN. I decided to
copy down the VIN, and research it on vangon.com. According to the page that
disseminates the VIN code says it's an '83, with an aircooled engine. Hard to
believe, since the van has the second grille, and appropriate plumbing. I
doubt the dash has been swapped as well. I presume I have an early '83.5
wasserboxer, and that the factory had some transition issues with the VINs.
Has anyone else ever seen this discrepancy? Considering I have also found,
and been haggling for, an '81 L Diesel (Yes, it is really an '81), I presume
there are some vehicles that slip through the cracks in the VIN code.
Secondly, I have talked with FAT Performance sells a counterweighted, stroker
crank for a Vanagon wasserboxer. Stroked by 3mm. Anyone else heard of this?
I'm looking at Porsche rods to see if I can find a slightly shorter set to
match, as a set of custom-made JE Pistons is really expensive (a friend was
quoted $4K of a set for an '87 Supra). I'd like to use this crank, reground
cam, FGA big-valve heads (both mine are cracked and pitted, and I don't 'do'
rebuilt), chromemoly pushrods, HD springs, a K&N induction setup, and I have
a custom exhaust systen sorted out. I have the 022D ECU upgrade, and a spare
ECU for emergencies. Ratio rockers are not considered, since stroking will
increase piston velocity, and the risk of bonking a valve. Big valves will
suffice. I'm still stumped on the rods, though. Anyone have any ideas on what
rods may work. Chevy units are too long.
Oh, on the increased compression issue, the heads may be hemi-cut, and I
collected the knock-sensing system off of a late Jetta 2 GLI 8V.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Sean L.
'82 GL Diesel "Donder"
'86 GL "Blitzen"
'83.5 GL yet to be christened
stalking that '81 Diesel,
refurbing a '67
Kombi for a friend, amd
collectiong bits
to assemble an '85 GL for another
friend
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