Date:         Mon, 2 Jan 2006 12:22:30 -0800
Reply-To:     Michael Diehr <md03@XOCHI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Diehr <md03@XOCHI.COM>
Subject:      New engine decision and break-in questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Hi All,

First, I wanted to thank everyone for all the suggestions about how
to deal with my 85 Westy with the blown engine.   After considering
the whole range of options (from selling it, to putting in a used
motor from a donor van, to putting in a TDI) I decided on having a
rebuilt 2.1 installed.     Total cost was a little under $4000, and
the shop turned it around in about 4 days.   So far so good.   The
repair included some unusual items (motor mounts, bad distributor and
a failed ECU, and a requested transmission service) that bumped the
price up a bit.  Would have been closer to $3300 had I got a stock
1.9 installed instead of the 2.1 and not had all the extra broken parts.

Questions about the break-in procedure:   As I understand it, one
should run regular (non-synthetic) oil, and try to avoid driving at
the same RPMs, to help the rings seat in better.       Can anyone
explain the theory here?  Is it really just RPMs you want to vary?
Or do you want to have a range of RPMs, loads, temperatures, etc?
What are the critical DOs and DONTs?    For example, would it better
to do a bunch of short, in town trips?  Or maybe a mix of in-town
trips with some longer highway driving?    Or, if I was on the
freeway, should I go steady, or occasionally speed up & put it in
neutral and coast for a bit (i have an auto tranny).

-mike