Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 09:07:23 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: what's it worth
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Mark,
From my perspective, having already gone through with my 88 GL what you
are going through now ... I would go for a new engine rather than start
over with a replacement vehicle. Reason........I prefer dealing with the
"demons I know rather than the demons I don't"!
With the purchase of another vehicle, also with a used engine, you could
find yourself right back where you started. Money spent, but the engine
fragged!!
If you have already spent your money in bringing your van up to speed,
and had the misfortune of losing the engine somehow along the way , you
will never come out even on the situation. I personally would put in a
newly rebuilt engine and expect to recover all my expenses by getting
the use out of it. Money spent on vehicles that are used on the road are
NEVER an investment, only an expense. Only rarely can you buy it cheap -
use it, then sell for more than you paid plus any expenditures along the
way. Use the vehicle with the new vehicle until the engine is 1/2 used
up, then weigh selling or keeping.
With rare exception, I always use new parts on my van, when I can get
them , for those things that would cause me a breakdown. Things like CV
bearing assemblies, clutch components including operating cylinders,
brake parts, internal components on engines. Other non-critical
things that are in good used condition are generally ok, but my
preference is to eliminate as much as possible any potential failures in
the future, and used parts will nearly always have a shorter useful
life, and have a habit of giving up the ghost at the most inconvenient
times .... like driving light switch failure on a winding mountain
road at midnight or somewhere equally thrilling.
As for engine choice, it depends on how much money you want to spend. I
personally would go with a rebuilt 2.1L WBX engine from Bob Donald's at
Boston Engine. A step up would be to get a WBX that is rebuilt to the
guidelines prescribed by list member Robert Lilley, i.e.,
counterweighted crank, balanced rotating assembly including clutch
assembly, ceramic coated piston skirts, etc., etc. He can give you the
particulars if you wish to pursue it. Then there are the conversions-
Tiico, Suburu, Audi 5 cylinder, and others.
With my on 88 GL, shortly after I bought it in 1998, at about 86,000
miles, a piston burned through. I had spent my money on the van, and
faced the same decision that you do. Sell the van or replace the engine.
I chose the latter. I have not regretted it.
Good luck and best,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Mark Johnson wrote:
> Hey Folks,
>
> I'm sittin' here wonderin' what a motor-less '88 GL is worth is SoCal?
>
> Big decision, lots of $$ in tranny, fuel tank, odometer, clutch
> cylinder, steering sector, alternator, AC, catalytic converters etc.
> Should I go for even more with a new motor or should I buy a different
> van take my chances? I've been spinning round & round for weeks & it's
> time for a decision.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Mark J.
> 86 GL (died in crash after 275K protecting wife)
> 88 GL (many expensive repairs brought on by sketchy mechanical history)
>
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