Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2006 07:07:25 -0400
Reply-To: "Higginbotham, David A." <dhigginbotham@HAZENANDSAWYER.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Higginbotham, David A." <dhigginbotham@HAZENANDSAWYER.COM>
Subject: Re: What would you do
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I am considering either the Subaru conversion, which I favor at this
point in my decision making process or the Zetec conversion. I like the
Zetec engine for a number of reasons but I have a lingering fear that
any in-line engine mounted at an angle is going to produce some amount
of vibration. I'm not trying to open another discussion on the merits of
one conversion over another, unless anyone wants to take it to p-mail in
which case I welcome all comments and suggestions.
I have a lot of respect for the air cooled engine, and it has been
reasonably reliable considering the age of the technology, with the
exception of this recent FI problem. The FI problem is the only problem
with the 82 that I have not been able to resolve yet. But it is woefully
lacking in the power department and while I am no speed demon I do like
to vacate to the North Carolina mountains from time to time, and well,
you know what happens on the uphill. I am also of the age and health
where I no longer cherish the thought of roadside repair and I think the
newer technology of a modern engine might be even more reliable than the
air cooled.
Sudhir suggested using megasquirt to resolve some of these issues, and
if I end up staying with the air cooled engine I will probably look at
that closely or convert to carbs.
Should I decide to go with a conversion I still need to choose between
the 82 and the 85. I favor the 82 because, as someone else pointed out,
I know more about it overall and feel confident in all systems. I would
like to hear from anyone else who has converted an air cooled to a water
cooled engine of any type and see how they addressed the plumbing,
heater core, etc. issues.
Thanks folks,
David Higginbotham
-----Original Message-----
From: Zoltan [mailto:zolo@foxinternet.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 1:35 PM
To: Higginbotham, David A.
Subject: Re: Re: What would you do
Power and reliability ... Hm..
You did not state what conversion would you want to do. Would it be a
Subaru or similarly not original engine or 1.9 or 2.1 VW engine.
Putting on carbs, is a good idea for reliability. Converting to water
cooled with FI is not.
More power, maybe but a plethora of constant fiddling and worrying about
when and what will break.
With an air cooled carbed engine, you don't have to open the cover all
year.
Only the timing would give you trouble if its not electronic ignition.
But you can convert it with Sure Fire or something similar.
Nothing beats the air cooled for worry free motoring.
Install an oil temp gauge and you can monitor your oil too, the only
thing what one should think about with an air cooled.
Zoltan
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