Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 09:24:37 -0500
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Advice on possible engine replacement
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
If the possibility of spending $5000.00 on a broke down car doesn't scare
you, it should.
The engine is just the beginning of bringing your Vanagon back to full
utility.
I suggest that you sell off that broken down Vanagon and take $5000.00 and
upgrade to a known to be good Vanagon.
There are others that can take your Vanagon and keep it on the road by doing
the work required themselves.
In addition there are folks looking for No Engine vans for the sole purpose
of Subaru conversions.
At any rate you've got a looser if you can't fix it yourself.
From 11 years experience I can tell you that Vanagons have a way of chipping
away at your wallet.
Especially if you're having to take them to a mechanic that seldom knows any
more than you do about the car.
If it's chipping away for $5000.00 engine you can very well expect to spend
another $5000.00 over the next two years for other repairs.
There are always small things that don't come with rebuilt engines; New
Motor Mounts, Exhaust Parts, Clutches, CV Boots and joints, tune up parts,
batteries, alternators that just names a few.
You could easily spend an extra $2000.00 on that engine job if you have to
have a new exhaust system.
Possibly another $500.00 if you need a clutch and cover plate.
Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Nadig" <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 8:08 AM
Subject: Re: Advice on possible engine replacement
> Sam,
>
> There is a substantial difference between a, "heavily modified" engine,
and
> a (mild) engine conversion. I think that there are enough successful
engine
> transplants by owners here on the list that we have plenty of evidence to
> support the position that many engine conversions (Tiico, Subaru, etc.)
are
> not only acceptable substitutes for the WBX, but in many cases superior to
> the stock motor.
>
> There are a few examples where folks have gone a little crazy and put
> substantially more powerful engines in their Vanagons (Subaru SVX, Porsche
> 911, etc.). To my knowledge, those transplants have been successful also.
>
> The key to doing an engine change right, whether it is from 1.9 WBX to 2.1
> WBX, WBX to Tiico, WBX to Subaru, or WBX to crazy-power Porsche or SVX, is
> attention to detail and initial sorting of early problems. If these things
> are addressed properly, the common Vanagon engine changes can be quite
> successful.
>
> Remember, if you convert from a 1.9 to 2.1 WBX and your mechanic doesn't
> have intimate knowledge of the changes required, your 2.1 can be
problematic
> too.
>
> Cheers & Good Luck,
> Bruce
> motorbruce@hotmail.com
>
> >From: Sam Stone <svs3@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
> >Reply-To: Sam Stone <svs3@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: Advice on possible engine replacement
> >Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 21:58:32 -0500
> >
> >Well, I just heard back from the second mechanic. He concurs with the
> >first mechanic. The engine is toast. His opinion is one of the PO did
> >one or a series of valve job(s) adjusting the valves as though the van
> >had solid lifters. His opinion is that I should replace the 1.9L with a
> >OEM 2.1L (new: $5000 installed w\ 6month or 6000 mile warranty; used:
> >$2500\installed w\ a 90 day labor only warranty). He was very vigorous
> >in trying to dissuade me for purchasing any type of non-OEM engine, says
> >in his experience heavily modified motors don't work out in the end -
> >more problems than they're worth.
> >
> >So, the choices under consideration are:
> >
> >1) 2.2 GoWesty engine (delivery time 6-8 weeks; about $5000 installed)
> >
> >2) New OEM 2.1L engine (delivery time 1 week)
> >
> >Still confused,
> >Sam
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