Date:         Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:42:11 EDT
Reply-To:     Westfalia86@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Barry Rokusek <Westfalia86@AOL.COM>
Subject:      I found a cheap weekender, also looking for conversion info:-)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi, Seeing as my 86 Westy Camper probably needs a clutch.... OK, I bought my
camper about 2 months ago.  The front right is banged up, the rear left is
all crunched in.  The body panels on the left side are separating at the
seems, the utility hook ups are falling out, the gear box pops out of 2nd
gear, grinds into 3rd, it has just shy of 175,000 miles on it...  I paid
$1500 for it, and thought hey it runs well. And if it dies, I can always part
it out for that much...  The engine runs GREAT, no head leaks at all, no oil
pressure woes.  The interior is immaculate, all the camping gear works
perfectly.  Even the fridge lights on the first try every time!

SO, I found an/86 Weekender with 115,000 that has a beautiful body, rough
interior, busted windshield, and no engine.  The guy that owns it got a great
deal on a Westy Syncro with a blown engine, so he looted this one...  I'm
thinking of retiring my old beat up Westy and buying the other to turn it
into a full blown camper with all the parts from my Westy.  Should I expect
it to be a tough job?  Any pointers that could hlelp?  Also I realize my old
boxer engine, although running quite well, does have a LOT of miles.  When
the time comes to rebuild or retire, I think I'd like to put a conversion in
it.  I know a lot of people have used Suburu engines.  Others have used 5
cylinder Audi engines, and some use a conversion kit to use a 1.8 or 2.0
Jetta. ... engine.  I guess I'd like some advice on the conversion options as
well as price figures if possible.  Thanks again for welcoming me to the list
and the great advice thus far!

:-)

Barry