Date:         Thu, 28 Jun 2001 09:15:01 -0400
Reply-To:     Kitzmann <kitzmann@EXIS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kitzmann <kitzmann@EXIS.NET>
Subject:      Re: Engine conversions and such...
In-Reply-To:  <200106280738.f5S7cgj30889@marlin.exis.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Oh I forgot one little thing, if they do become collectable most restorers
have to bring things back to stock for most vehicles.  People mess around
with there cars all the time, just look at some of the old Beatles or
Busses, bored out engines, little gagets added or removed, nonstock
interiors, etc....   In all reality even if the Bus has an engine
conversion many restorers will still want the body if it is in great shape
to restore back to original.  If I was going to restore an older Bus I
would definitely take a rust free nonorignal, say with a bigger motor with
dual carbs, then an original with rust and other problems.  So all this
complaining back and forth is really pointless.  What matters is that we
like are Vans and are keeping them running in some fashion.  Oh, and about
reliability, I don't think any of the vans from the 80's where that
reliable.  I've know a lot of people with Caravans and the like that have
sunk much more money into thier vans then I have.  Example 4 engines in 10
yrs for a Caravan!  Two different people I know had to return thier
Caravans to the dealers after 6-9 months for a replacement because the
originals where such S#@&.  Better proof of reliability was a long term
reliability test that I saw a while back of the vans sold in 1989 the top
two for reliability where, suprise, the Vanagon and MPV.  They all had
problems, Chrysler just did a better job at selling to the unsuspecting
public.

Dave K.

178000 miles on 2 engines 82 diesel now 1.8L gas
Friends Caravan 145000 miles 4 engines, and currently no AC or power
windows and it is hot!
Which is better?