Vanagon EuroVan
Previous (more recent) messageNext (less recent) messagePrevious (more recent) in topicNext (less recent) in topicPrevious (more recent) by same authorNext (less recent) by same authorPrevious page (May 2006, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Tue, 16 May 2006 02:12:40 -0400
Reply-To:     Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Syncro de Mayo Este - emerging plans and other important
              information
Comments: To: syncrodemayoeste@yahoogroups.com, Syncro
          <Syncro@yahoogroups.com>, syncrolist@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

East Coast Syncronauts and other interested persons,

We are moving along to bring our "casually" organized Syncro de Mayo Este event together.

Basic information about the event's location, Paragon Adventure Park near Hazleton, PA can be found on the base page of the syncrodemayoeste@yahoogroups.com email list.

At this time it looks like we will have a few discussions about some mechanical issues, most of which are not actually unique to Syncros. Dennis Haynes will discuss alignment and rear brake repairs. In addition, Dennis wants to explain both compression and leakdown tests as part of doing a thorough diagnosis of an engine that is giving you trouble. He has posted frequently that it is essential to do both of these tests to really understand the status of your engine. This applies to all engines, not just the WBX.

Derek Drew will discuss the basics of the operation of the VC if there are people interested in this. This is a widely misunderstood device as discussions on the list of the pros and cons of VC's and decouplers show. As most know Derek has been importing VC's into the US for a number of years to make sure that OEM quality replacements are available. In addition, Derek can discuss the latest in even larger wheels and tires and the modifications to both the suspension and the drivetrain that are needed to use these effectively. I also want Derek to talk more about off roading techniques in difficult terrain.

We are hoping that Karl Mullendore will be able to make it because he can contribute substantially to some of these discussions. We may not have anywhere near the number of Syncros on the East Coast, but we clearly have some of the most knowledgeable Syncro and Vanagon people.

A number of different engine conversions will be represented - two or more different Subaru engines, at least two of the same Zetec engine, hopefully Karl's TDI, and perhaps an I4 VW. Since I am not completely sure who is coming and what powers their Vanagon, I don't know for sure if others will be present. We should have some time for comparison and discussion of these conversions. We will have representatives of Bostig Engineering (Zetecs) and East Coast Vanagons (Subarus) and perhaps Westy Ventures (TDIs and some other conversions IIRC) present.

When Brady first contacted Paragon about holding the event there, they thought that some upgrades to their camping area would be complete by now. This has not transpired and they have only primitive camping - no showers or hookups.

So, at the request of a number of participants, I have checked out the three campgrounds listed on Paragon's web site.

The closest one happens to have the best rates. Red Ridge Lake Campground is about 7.5 miles from Paragon, further west down a two lane road, with a Mapquest estimated time of 17 minutes away. They can put in a cluster of campsites with hookups for $10 per person per night, with $3.00 more per vehicle for the hookup. Children under 12 are free and those over 12 are an additional $1.00 per night. They can accommodate Dennis Haynes RV if he decides to bring it. A pdf file of a Mapquest set of directions from Paragon to the campground has been uploaded to the files section of the email list.

I think this will be much better than primitive camping at Paragon. Everyone who chooses to stay at Red Ridge will be close together with power available. We can have space to easily have some of our discussions there and meal preparations will be much easier. And showers after a day of offroading will greatly improve sleep - at least for me and several others I have talked to. Maybe it is a sign of aging for some of us.

Bloomsburg, PA is only another 25-30 minutes further west. This college town has a few pretty good places to eat. I'll check with some acquaintances who go there to eat several times a summer when using their nearby cabin for some references. This would be an easy location for a Saturday night dinner if this was acceptable to most people.

I will talk further with the Red Ridge manager tomorrow after he is home from his day job. I will then find out what he will need in the way of any deposits, etc. So watch for further emails as we may be needing folks to shoot us some $$ via Paypal or the like to use for the deposit.

We have only received a few confirmations as to who is coming, so let us know if you haven't so we can plan accordingly. Include the answers to the questions I asked a few days ago if you can.

Be sure and buy a flag to affix to your van to comply with the Paragon rules. They will sell you a flag on a long pole for about $15 but you can get them a WalMart or similar stores for about $5 according to Brady. Our vanagons meet their requirements regarding tow loops and fixed batteries. They require tow straps without metal hooks. (If one snaps or flies loose and has a metal hook it is a dangerous projectile.) All we are actually required to have is one of these per group of vans that goes out. Brady has one and maybe a few others do.

It is late and I am sure I have forgotten something. Someone will remind me, I hope, and we'll add that later.

Sam

-- Sam Walters Baltimore, MD

89 Syncro GL, Zetec Inside 85 Westy Weekender 85 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel - to become veggie oil powered

All incoming and outgoing email scanned by automatically updated copy of Norton AntiVirus.


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.