Date:         Tue, 4 Jun 2002 09:01:24 -0700
Reply-To:     Michael Ramer <elvisramer@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Ramer <elvisramer@COX.NET>
Subject:      It's Alive! It's Alive!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Well, my new Wasserboxer engine is in and running! After nearly 2 months of
gathering parts, etc., my '87 Wolfsburg is on the road! After careful
prepping, it fired right up!

I bought the clean 'Wolfram Gray Metallic' van with 113k miles from the
original owner, knowing that the engine was leaking and overheating. What I
was not aware of is that the PO had ignored the leaking torque converter
seal and toasted the original trans. My first should have been when it would
not go into third gear. The van came with the full Wolfsburg package which
is so cool, including factory alloys and new Michelin MXT's. A clean van
that was well worth the $1300 I paid, in my opinion.

Thanks to Terry Kay for the (used) auto trans he supplied- even if it is a
little rougher in appearance to my original (apparenty they get REAL winters
up there) it shifts fine, doesn't leak and much cheaper than the $1800.00
the shop wanted to rebuild mine. And yes Terry, I replaced the torque
converter seal with a new one prior to installation of the used trans. I am
considering tackling the transmission rebuild myself, after being shown what
was bad and in need of replacement by
the shop. So the $100.00 inspection was a little helpful...just need to
source/price some of the parts. BTW, any suggestions for auto transmission
internal parts? Dealer only?

Shamless plugs: Thanks also to Bus Depot, Ken @ Van-again, and the Volkscafe
for parts. And of course I must thank OVW in Escondido, CA as well. This Mom
& Pop outfit has helped me so much with my Vanagons and Type2's. They are
only miles from my house and offer great deals. They can be found at:
http://www.the-ovw.com/

My engine is a low mileage '86 carefully rebuilt by a now-retired Porsche/VW
mechanic who was getting out of the business. The engine has ample power,
although I'm still breaking it in, and handles MUCH better than my '87 Westy
did. And while I had reservations about buying an automatic Vanagon, it is
so nice just to sit back and cruise! I do notice that the automatic
transmission shifts sooner in RPM range than I'd like, although perhaps it's
by design to
prolong the life of the trans?

I need to buy one of the plastic parts which attaches to the bottom of the
window frame and to the cable for the drivers side power window- mine is
broken. Fresh air would be nice. Dealer only?

Soooo stoked to have this van! Can't wait for the first road trip, likely to
be a mountain bike-adventurama!

Mike, 1987 Wolfsburg 'The Led Zepplin'
Ride to Live-Live to Ride