Date:         Fri, 2 Jul 2004 08:56:03 -0700
Reply-To:     Rusty Zarse <rustyzarse@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rusty Zarse <rustyzarse@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Trusting Your Machine
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Calle,

I was astonded to see a volvo conversion!  I have been getting a little excited about finding an engine for my westy.  My A/C is shot.  The compressor is frozen.  My heater needs an overhaul.  The electrical was trashed by the P.O.  (probably a best buy stereo install, hard to tell) and I am over the novelty of going 45 mph up hills on the freeway.

To respond to the subject at hand, I agree that with the statement that each breakdown or repair makes my Billy Bob more trust worthy.  Every Saterday afternoon of maintenance I invest, my travel range confidence increases by one hour.  My plan is to get to Northern California and back, stopping in Boise, ID, from Atlanta, GA.  Yeppers!  That requires both a lot of refresh on the mechanicals as well as a working A/C and new tires that don't float like a pontoon boat.

Owning a Westfalia is not like owning a Honda.  You expect and plan to do maintenance.  If you do the requisite maintenance, you will have a travel experience that ONLY a westy can provide.  It's not just the convenience of the bed and refridge, it's the view, the ride, the charm...

People have really cheered about the Subaroo conversion.  I have a Volvo v40 and absolutely love the car.  If I could get this engine to fit in the vanagon, I think it would make me squeel!  Plus, how cool to have two totally different cars with the same muscle under the hood!  Eventually, this new car won't be so old.  It would be nice to have torn an i40 apart before.

It seems like you had a difficult time getting the Volvo heart in the vanagon.  Additionally, you have a pretty sweet looking, custom bench.  I have a westy.  Would you recommend this conversion to someone who is mechanically inclined but not heavy on free time?

Difficulty aside, how's the drive?

thanks,

Rusty



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