Date:         Thu, 6 Jul 2006 05:57:15 EDT
Reply-To:     RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Mechanic had to pull transmission again, what would you do?
Comments: cc: gronski@GMAIL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 05/07/2006 8:09:37 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Mechanic  had to pull transmission again, what would you do?



Chris, first off why was not a new clutch kit with  new throughout bearing
installed ?  When undertaking such a project it is  highly recommended to
resurface the flywheel and install a new clutch kit.   The labour to pull it apart
later does not warrant the use of used clutch  parts.  Also, was the end play
on the crank checked when the flywheel from  one engine was put on the other
engine ?  If not, you could be in for  another bad surprise.  And $55/hour shop
rate for a competent Vanagon  mechanic these days is CHEAP !   My rate here is
now $65/hr and have  more work than I can handle.  I have a young,
enthusiastic, competent  fellow with me learning and soon will have good help.  The
Vanagons are  getting older and the repairs needed to keep them running is
escalating.   I'm sure my good bud Benny Boy will chime in with more back up on this
theme.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
_Frank Condelli  & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007