Date:         Sat, 22 Feb 2003 10:03:52 -0600
Reply-To:     Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      New Day Saturday
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

What's wrong with my VW? Friday
I want to thank all the folks that hung with me through my Friday
ramblings.
Although it got a little zesty for an hour or so, everything worked out
just lovely.
The next generation of Vanagon, Syncro and Westy owners are learning to
read right now in the first grade.
When their turn comes to get a VW Bus, Van, or Vanagon series they're
going to be looking for nice units that depict the VW as a whole.
In my search over two years I found lots of modified Vanagons in various
stages of 'improvement' and I stayed with my search until I found a one
owner pure VW Westy.
I have made every effort to only modify things that are reversible, Oil
Pressure flexible line, Dash mounted instrument cluster, portable
speakers, oil coolers, radios etc.
I'm not saying that I have a show stopper or a pristine Westy but it
isn't full of added holes, speaker cut outs, A/C modifications.
I concede that I'd like more power like everyone else but I've adapted my
thinking to live longer, slow down.
In many situations fighting head winds or climbing long big hill ramps I
glue my eyes to my gauges and try to determine whether to push it or play
safe. (more important in an Air Cooled)
Folks in mountainous regions have the double problem of lower compression
at high altitudes and the never ending problem of the next mountain
climbing challenge. I've been there and I just had to take Mt. Ranier in
second gear for a full two hours at 25 mph.
In a recent visit to a used bookstore I found a 1987 Automobile Lemons
book. The book was not only a listing of the individual potential Lemons
but the methods and letters and reporting procedures to start the ball
rolling to get resolution.
The Water Cooled Vanagon was right in there with other potential Lemons
and it clearly listed most of the problems I see addressed on the list
everyday.
It requires a lot of courage to continue with the Water Cooled VW engine
but even with the down side maintenance I believe that long term the
investment isn't so bad.
When I visit E bay I see that many Waser Boxer are being parted out. If
that trend continues you'll have a vehicle that is in demand and a
limited number still available.
Texas has so few Vanagons and Westies that I've only seen possibly five
on Texas highways in eight years.
The population of Bay Busses is much higher but I seldom see any of them
on highways.
I've been told that in the North West 'You can't swing a dead cat without
hitting a Vanagon'. I'm hoping that is true and the availability of
Vanagons will be with us for a long time.
I respect the work Frank G. has done on engine conversions and his
continued efforts to support the list with his valuable input.
The hang up in my mind is that an individual could often buy three
running WC Vanagons for the price of the engine conversion. (True in
Texas ......... elsewhere I don't know)
I'm hoping that I haven't started any Zesty Responses with this post.
It is simply the way I see to keep the Vanagon / Westy / Syncro on the
American road longer.

Stan Wilder