Date:         Sun, 1 Jan 2006 18:46:05 -0800
Reply-To:     Geza Polony <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Geza Polony <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      New engine time?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Hello All,

I'm the proud new owner of a great '84 Westy full camper. Love the
car so far, but it has one major defect: It looks like it might need
a new engine.

Reason I say this is that it blows some white smoke out the tailpipe,
overheats with no visible coolant leak, and more and more often runs
like a dog--no power, missing, bucking, etc.

Here's my question. Would you (a) find the cylinder that's leaking,
pull it apart and install new o-rings, then put it back together; (2)
same as above but do both heads and have valve job done at the same
time; (3) buy rebuilt long block and install--?

Previous owner replaced fuel injectors, plugs, wires, dist. cap and
rotor, water pump, t-stat within 5K miles.

Idles great, starts great, just this running problem!

Thanks so much for any input.