Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (March 2001, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
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


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.