Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2006 16:12:27 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Engine siezed . . . Next steps?
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2006020316212112@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Jim,
If you like the vehicle, hang onto it and have the whole thing rebuilt -
body and engine. Reason being, if you take that approach then you have
the situation of dealing with the "Demons you know vs the Demons you
don't!" I much prefer the former.
If the decision is taken to repair it, then the next item to deal with
is the engine.
Engine swap or overhaul existing engine? You will spend less money on a
stock engine. I would suggest you get one from Bob Donalds of Boston
Engines I don't know of any place you can get better quality, service
and support. If you decide to go the engine swap, to me the most logical
swap would be a Subie engine. It's almost made for the Vanagon. And it
will give you some nice additional power to push the Westy around with.
But in the end you will have more money invested than in a stock engine.
It's just a decision you have to make.
Just a thought - my vanagon is permanent. Don't ever expect to dispose
of it. Suits me perfect. I told my kids when I've run my race, strap me
in the seat of the Vanagon, and roll it and me into the hole! Since I
consider it a lifelong vehicle, I would consider the engine swap to a
Subie engine.
Good luck,
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
jimcraig wrote:
>My trusty and perfectly running 90 Westy shocked me beyond all belief last
>night as I was heading up to Snoqualmie pass for a little night skiing. The
>power seemed a little low as I could barely keep it above 45mph up the last
>steep pitch when suddenly the engine just shut down. A quick push of the
>clutch and a coast to the side of the road, then that sick feeling in the
>root of my stomach. It's over. Tried to crank, no way.
>
>I had the heads replaced two years ago, but no rings. I did notice a little
>bit of smoke from the tailpipe last week, but it didn't seem to cloud up
>when I revved it, so I didn't think about it too much more. The van has
>always run perfectly. Good power, always starts etc. About a month ago, a
>woman ran a yield sign and I t-boned her, putting a few nice dents in the
>front end and trashing the spendy fiberglass bumper cover. I haven't fixed
>it yet, but can expect to get several thousand from the insurance.
>
>Anyhow, I am now pondering what to do with this rig next. Do I find a used
>one to throw in and move on? Do I rebuild this one (169k miles) since I
>already have good heads? Buy a reman? Conversion? Sell the whole lot to a
>handy person who could put humpty dumpty back together again with lots of
>labor and find a new rig?
>
>My family and kids love this van. I am committed to the Westy experience,
>but am torn on what to do next. I have enough mechanical experience to fix
>it myself, but not enough time to devote to the project, so I will end up
>paying shop rates on labor.
>
>Option 1. Find a decent used motor and have my mechanic install. Cost?
>$2k?
>
>Option 2. Have them tear apart the old and rebuild if the crank looks OK.
>Cost: $??
>
>Option 3. Reman longblock, $5k?
>
>Option 4. Conversion. Suby, Tiico, TDI $7k?
>
>My mechanic has done a few tiico's and won't do any more. Not worth it for
>him and too many iffy parts that break later he said. Does any one know
>someone who can handle a conversion in Seattle? I'd be interested in
>learning more about the pros and cons from experienced installers. At this
>point in my life, I value reliability. I don't need any more projects. I
>don't mind brakes and maintenance, but can't devote full weekends to chasing
>gremlins.
>
>Does anyone in the Seattle area have a good used 2.1 that would get me back
>on the road? I'm not in a big hurry since this is a third rig, but was
>hoping to do some ski camping with the kids this spring.
>
>Sorry for the long winded message, I appreciate any help and information you
>can provide.
>
>Thanks in advance for your help,
>
>
>Jim
>
>
>
>
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