Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 13:47:39 -0700
Reply-To: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject: Re: Northwest Connecting Rod story
In-Reply-To: <BAY101-F17BA01337AEFD2D6FCE2C584AE0@phx.gbl>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
I have replaced cracked heads on many engines. I have rarely done a rebuild
of the lower end due to a cracked head. Cracked heads in the type 1 style
engine are common. In the type iv style much less so. The repair is still
to just replace the head. In the waterboxer cracked heads are comparatively
rare but do happen. The cracking is unrelated to lower end wear. A common
engine head crack is from the plug hole to the exhaust valve. Depending on
the cost and material of the heads these are often simply welded up machined
and put back in service.
jimt
On 12/15/04 11:55 PM, "Chris DeLong" <green536@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>> From: John Smith <johns3539@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> Reply-To: John Smith <johns3539@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Northwest Connecting Rod story
>> Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 01:00:19 -0500
>>
>> I found only a small amount of information on Northwest Connecting Rod in
>> Seattle when searching the archives, so I want to make sure my 2 cents gets
>> added:
>>
>> A couple of weeks ago my regular mechanic told me I had a cracked head on
>> my
>> 91 Westy. With my extensive knowledge gained from this list about how the
>> conversation with my mechanic should continue, I ask him what he would do.
>> Long story short, it was the wrong answer. In fact, he went as far as
>> saying that all he had to do was replace the head and the engine would be
>> as
>> good as new. I asked him about the chances of throwing a rod bearing, and
>> he said "That happens so rarely... that's a worst case scenario." Needless
>> to say, I got out of there in a hurry.
>>
>> Not knowing what to do and having roughly $4,000 worth of repairs hanging
>> over my head, I weighed my options. Top only rebuild? Full engine
>> rebuild?
>> It had about 125,000 miles on it already, and I just knew the rods were
>> about to go. After weighing all the pros and cons and determining my
>> needs
>> and mechanical ability, I leaned towards a full rebuild of a stock engine,
>> but still wasn't sure of myself. Boston Bob? AVP through Bus Depot? or
>> maybe I should just go Tiico. I was really hesitant to deal with shipping
>> an engine in from CA or MA, and remembered NW Connecting Rod being
>> mentioned
>> in the archives and receiving extremely strong recommendations, but there
>> weren't nearly as many posts as Boston Bob or my other options. I decided
>> to give him a call since he was local. He was extremely helpful, and told
>> me I should come down and we could talk about it more. We did, and after
>> more discussion and a few more checking of references, I decided he would
>> rebuild it.
>>
>> I'm very happy I did. He's extremely nice and is willing to answer any
>> questions. He'll let you come into the shop, have a look at everything,
>> and
>> explain what it is he's doing. He's been rebuilding WBX's for a long time,
>> and definitely knows his stuff. He does WBX's for most all the dealers in
>> the area, too. He only does one car at a time... he took the van in on a
>> Monday morning, was done Wednesday afternoon, and was able to keep it under
>> $3900 out the door. I'm approaching my 500 mile oil change, and everything
>> is just peachy.
>>
>> From the few posts I read about him in the archives, he is the only man in
>> Seattle to do rebuilds... and I would have to agree 100%. If you need a
>> rebuild on a WBX and you're in Seattle, you should seriously consider going
>> directly to Jerry at NW Connecting Rod. This isn't knocking Boston Bob or
>> Bus Depot/AVP of course, in my dealings with them, they're great too, and I
>> know they do/offer fantastic work. But if you're in Seattle, your best bet
>> may be to just keep it local. Kudos to Jerry.
>>
>> Northwest Connecting Rod
>> 1705 S 93rd St F-7
>> Seattle, WA 98108
>> (South Seattle, off of 99 on the way to Burien)
>> 206-763-2487
>>
>> Onward,
>>
>> John
>> 91 Westy (Canadian)
>
>
|