Date:         Thu, 19 Apr 2001 17:20:49 -0700
Reply-To:     Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Subject:      Re: rebuild or GEX ? (fwd)
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 17:13:05 -0700
From: Alan Ruffalo <aruffalo@sprynet.com>
To: Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Subject: Re:      Re: rebuild or GEX ?

I replaced every mechanical thing in my 88 Westy except the starter and the
air conditioning compressor.
I went with a brand new engine directly from VW. It came complete with heads
installed and it only cost $2400.00 (no heads or engine core charge
guarantee required which could have been as much as $300.00 more when you go
with a rebuilt engine).
My mechanic then replaced everything that could be replaced in and around
the engine and it cost a total of $5900.00 including tax and labor. The new
engine is really great except it must use a different oil dip stick (than
the one from my old engine) that does not come with the new engine. The
markings in the dip stick put too much oil in the engine. I have to keep the
oil down at the bottom notch on the dipstick. any more than that and the
engine spews smoke for some reason. If  I try to fill the oil level up the
top notch on the dipstick it takes almost 5 quarts. Also, my mechanic
ordered a new dipstick because he said he lost or broke the old one. The
point of this story is that I have a brand new engine for not much more than
you would ultimately spend to buy a rebuilt engine. My 88 Westy runs like
the day it rolled off the show room floor.
If anyone out there knows the exact measurements of the correct oil dipstick
for a new engine in an
88 Westy - I would sure like to have those measurements. I think the
dipstick that I have is the wrong one.
I would like to have the measurements from the bottom to the first notch.
Then, the dimension to the second notch. Then the measurement to the stopper
cup towards the top. I don't know for sure but, I think he put a new 2.1
Wasserboxer engine in it. I am not sure which engine that it came with
originally. The new engine has lots of power. It has considerably more power
than the old original engine.

Best regards,

Allan Ruffalo
88 Westy