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
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
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