Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 17:06:16 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
In-Reply-To: <35F3D149D550154F8A2977D3686962D6C0F598@evans>
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Mike, first things first.......ALWAYS put a subject in the subject
field. It's a courtesey.
Now, first things first with your new rig!!
Congratulations. I know you are pleased.
And now for the suggestions..........
First thing!! Oil change and new filter. Get rid of that Fram and get a
Mahle filter. Also, chainge oild to Mobil One 15W50. Those two items
alone may very well solve any oil pressure problems you think you might
have.
Second:-- Tires, I run Michelin XCA 205-75R14 8-Ply Load Range D 65 psi
tires on my rig. Good tire, strong. There are others, but this one
allows you to use the stock 14 inch rim while giving you the control of
the stiff sidewall plus a little more height since they are a bit larger
in diameter.
Third --- pull, clean, lube the CV's.
Fourth: Pull, inspect, lube front wheel bearings.
Fifth: If this has a manual tranny, change to Redline MT 90. Tranny will
love you.
These things are early-on "must do" items for me when I get a new
vehicle. You might consider it.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Mike Blotz wrote:
>hey gang
>
>well--i'm back to the world of vanagons--although I never left the list. I got a new to me 87 syncro GL yesterday. she needs some werk--just like how i like to find em. this is technically my 3rd syncro now--although I had another in my life for some time. hopefully this one will turn out to be the one i wanna keep--which I think it will. she has 214K on the body, 80-90K on factory rebuild, tranny rebuild, all half shafts and wheel bearings, and less on new drive shaft. mechanically--everything feels strong, VC checked out real good in my test--know more when I get into it. as it sits right now--has externally seeping heads, idles high and seems to be searching for idle (idle stabilizer or control valve more than likely--correct?) bald tires on steel rims (what to do here--since i need tires anyway--maybe upgrade wheels), and the biggest thing--oil pressure issues.
>
>I dont think there is a real problem--I'll decribe what i got going on. no problem until about 20 minutes of driving--then the light and buzzer will come on when you drop the rpms to like 2500--rev it up--it goes out. engine feels real tight--like I sad--80-90K on it. I know the factory rebuilds were not exactly the best of quality. but she runs real strong. has zero leaks which surprises me. I have a gauge i was gonna install on the dash--its the hate to get dirty twice type of thing. do these symptoms sound funny to nayone--like a real problem--or a sensor wiring problem? I dont really care--my real plan for the van is subaru power or I4 Vw power. I just had planned on getting the heads sealed up and driving it for a while to make sure everything was good--and have a good motor to sell as well. but i dont wanna dump money into something that has oil pressure isses either--since thats probably ovaled rods. anyway--let me know if you have any advise here
>
>here is the plan for this rig
>
>1. motor conversion. never thought i'd consider subi--but just checked out a 2.5 syncro westy--was very impressed. and I drive a subi everyday--so I know them as well
>
>2. decoupler. reason I searched this van out was for the diff lock to make decoupler install easier and such. I like the idea of 2wd/4wd selectable vehicle. so I may search out an aggresive VC to match.
>
>3. aux battery for running creature comfort items
>
>4. stewert warner gas powered personnel heater. just picked this thing up recently--very cool--and rare from what I gather. make a nice furnace i believe
>
>opther than that--just make it a reliable travel vehicle. think i might put my 66 kombi up for sale to do it. hard choise since that has been a 5 yr restoration project that is almost completed--just the interior left to do (any interest)
>
>anyway--let me know of any advice you may have
>
>
>
