Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2006 21:23:42 -0400
Reply-To: Hans Achter <hansachter@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Hans Achter <hansachter@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: air-cooled vanagons are cool
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reply-type=original
Warren,
I've driven a lot in Montreal with subaru vanagons in cold winters. It
heats the interior just as well as a WBX engine and the subaru engine holds
perfectly stable temperature. There are no cooling system issues with
subaru conversions if the cooling system is set up properly.
-Hans
East Coast Vanagon
http://www.vanaru.com
Turnkey Subaru Engine Conversions
----- Original Message -----
From: "Warren Lail" <vw.bus@MAC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 11:58 AM
Subject: air-cooled vanagons are cool
> My first Vanagon was an 81 air-cooled model that I drove for 12 years.
> During that time I replaced a head (dropped valve seat) and eventually
> installed an AVP rebuilt longblock. Other than the lack of heat, I never
> had a complaint about the air-cooled engine. It had low power, but I was
> used to that because I had been driving VW buses since back in the day.
> In fact, compared to some of the buses I drove in earlier years it had
> lots of power! I dealt with the poor heating for a long time, but as I
> got older and my road trips took me further north in the cool months, I
> decided that I needed heat. So I opted for a waterbox, even though many
> people warned me against it.
>
> My first waterbox was "Long John" an 87 GL. Of course I had heat to warm
> my feet, but also engine heat I couldn't get rid of, i.e., blew a head
> gasket within 6 months of ownership. Then I got Billy Bones and toasted
> the first engine within 1500 miles of driving. Again, heat was my enemy.
> I purchased an AVP longblock (paid extra for the good heads), changed all
> coolant lines, radiator, and everything else I could imagine, and never
> had an overheat problem again.
>
> Now I've installed a Subaru 2.2 engine that runs fine. However, I've not
> been through a winter with it, but some people have heating problems with
> subie conversions when the weather gets really cold. Go figure. I'll
> guess I'll deal with that issue in the coming months.
>
> I guess the bottom line is this; other than cold feet in the wintertime,
> my 81 air-cooled was the most reliable bus I've owned (although I did
> have a 65 splittie that never let me down either). Air cooled engines are
> simple and durable. If I had one today, I would simply install a 12,000
> BTU Suburban furnace and keep on truckin'. In fact, the next bus I buy
> will be an early (68-71) air-cooled model for dinkin' around town. I'll
> install a propane furnace under the rear seat and enjoy the ride.
>
> Warren L.
> 88 Westy "Billy Bones"
> contemplating a Suburban furnace for winter camping
>
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