Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 21:34:16 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: 88 Westy makes it back to home port!
In-Reply-To: <3d15383d69c1.3d69c13d1538@ou.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Glad you made it back OK. You will enjoy the '88".
I have an 88 GL. Things to do:
As you said, all new fuel lines, and all new coolant hoses.
I learned the hard way there is hooked to the water pump, or down in
that areas ( I have forgotten the specifics) a funky little molded
water hose with one end bigger than the other. So generic water hose
doesn't work. BE sure that hose is replaced. It is a major PITA to do
once the engine is installed. Might as well make life as easy as
possible. It's about 10 inches long as I recall - maybe a little shorter
- and it's a dealer item and it's pricey. 20 bucks or so. But bit the
bullet and get it. It's worth the price to not have later problems or
have to fight with trying to get something generic to fit.
When I had my engine rebuilt, I went for a good bit of new stuff, just
because........!
New thermostat, new temp sensors, etc. I also tried to replace any
missing chafe strips, grommets, etc. I also wrapped things or split
hoses and put the pieces on other hoses and fastened with a tiewrap. I
also installed some of that hard spiral plastic wiring protection stuff.
Tie off loose hoses, etc, so things don't move around and chafe.
Be sure and have the flywheel surface machined to receive the new
clutch. It goes without saying to have new throwout bearings, flywheel
seal, etc.
And finally get a proper copper crush gasket for drain plug. And install
a new one every time you change oil.
Follow the recommended break in by AVP and then switch to Mobil One
15W50 synthetic oil , and change your tranny fluid to Redline MT 90
......if its a manual tranny. You won't regret it.
As for coolant, use a good non-phosphate biodegradeable coolant, mixed
with distilled water, and top off the refill of coolant for the new
engine with a bottle or so of Redline Water-wetter. Olan on changing
coolant every two years.
While the engine is out, it would be a good time to service the CV's,
and check the condition of the rear breaks.
I can't think of anything else myself, but I will be the rest of the
list membership has some other things to add.
Best of success on your project.
Enjoy.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Warren.K.Lail-1 wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>Thanks to everyone for the advice on towing my 88 Westy from eastern Tennessee to Oklahoma City. I left on Friday morning at 3 am, drove for several hours and then realized that I was so sleepy that I had to stop, and wound up sleeping at a truck stop for about an hour. Then proceeded on in rain and fog and wind. Made it to my destination at 7:00 pm, loaded my beloved bus onto the tow-dolly and me and my buddy Greg headed back to OKC. We loaded the bus rear wheels down (manual tranny in neutral). We drove until about 1 am and could go no further. We crashed at a Motel 6 in Jackson, TN for about 3 hours, and then got back on the wet, rainy road again. Crossed back into Oklahoma and as expected, the wind was blowing mightily. At about 5 pm this evening (38 hours later) we rolled my bus off the dolly and back into the driveway. Whew! Tomorrow or Monday I'll drop the engine, clean the engine compartment, replace water and fuel lines, etc. Next week, I'm ordering a lon
>g block from Erin and Leonard at AVP-Worldwide. When I install the rebuild, I'll also install a new clutch assembly.
>
>Is there anything in particular that I ought not overlook while the engine is out?
>
>Thanks to everyone.
>
>Warren
>88 Westy (needs a name)
>87 GL (also needs a name)
>
>
>