Date:         Tue, 10 Dec 2002 09:39:53 -0700
Reply-To:     Sean Garrett <SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sean Garrett <SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU>
Subject:      Air-cooled reputation (type IV) .short
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Viva la air-cooled !

I have about 6k on my newly rebuilt 2.0 air cooled engine. It is in a 1981
Westy I salvaged from the crusher 3 yrs ago for $1000. It was up on blocks
for 2 yrs in my carport. It absolutely loves the cooler temps were seeing in
Phoenix these days....purrs like a kitten. I've been too CA with it already.
It has superb heat. Its power is increasing everyday. I am currently
finishing up the interior of the project. Then the new paint. Its gonna be a
sweet Westy in another year. I followed one rule though..."replace
everything".

One thing I was looking for in this vehicle was simplicity. I elected the
air-cooled due to this. Also salvaged (near death) air-cooled Westy's are
inexpensive compared to waserboxers.

However, I am venturing into the land of the boxer soon (87 syncro). I
expect to spend more money than the air-cooled and have more complicated
issues to deal with than the air-cooled. But I hope to end up with a stock
but more powerful Westy in the end. I will use a 2.2 Eurocars engine and
build the interior (Westy) based on the Mercedes Vito Marco Polo package (I
use to build cabinets for a living). It will be sweeter than sweet. At that
time I will sell the 81 and the 95 and will have one camper for the
family/me.

http://www.mercedes-benz.com/e/rv/marcopolo/photo1.htm

Sean Garrett
1981 Westy (his)
1995 Eurovan Camper (hers)
soon 87 Syncro project
sean.garrett@asu.edu