Date:         Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:44:29 -0800
Reply-To:     Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Subject:      Re: <no subject> was piston wear, should be conversion issues
In-Reply-To:  <4559FA11.6050409@verizon.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

The thing about this rig is that it is in fabulous shape -I had to get a 60+
point Prov inspection when I brought it into Canada, and there was one (1!)
thing that needed work, a leaky rear wheel cylinder. Body in fabulous shape.
You just don't find these vehicles up here very often at this age and in
this good shape, for as little money as I got this one. Expensive rust
buckets seemed the norm, at least when I was looking. That I got such a good
vehicle so cheap was part of my considering a conversion, although I know
the water-cooled vehicles are more suitable. It's like an excellent basic
frame upon which I could do almost anything.

Having said that, comments like yours are what I need to decide. At this
point I'm just acquiring info. I really like the AC powerplant but concerned
about reliability issues. I posted the same question on Samba, and found
that some folks take the issue of engines very seriously, even personally.
Some are rather offended when I express my concern regarding the AC engine's
shortcomings, while other folks think the Subie is the only way to go. What
is really needed is more factual info to decide if it's worth shoehorning in
a Subie or just keep the AC and trust in God, keep a rabbit's foot on my
keychain, sacrifice a goat and make sure my CAA membership is in good
standing.

Nathaniel


On 11/14/06 9:17 AM, "Sam Walters" <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET> wrote:

> Nathaniel,
>
> The larger issue here is that you have predicated your questions on the
> notion that you want to remove the 2.0l AC engine and put a Subaru (or
> other water-cooled) conversion into your van.
>
> This discussion of ring wear is largely irrelevant to that.  No one has
> addressed this.
>
> While a review of the archives of the subaruvanagon yahoo list will show
> that a few people have done this successfully, it is a lot of extra work
> and expense compared to doing the conversion on a van that already had a
> water cooled engine.  The cost estimates that are typically associated
> with DIY or shop Subaru conversions will be much lower than what this
> project would cost you.  The whole cooling system, heating system, etc.,
> would have to be created and installed in the van.  Most folks,
> including some who have done it advise against it, suggesting that you
> sell the AC vanagon and find a diesel or WBX upon which to base the
> conversion.
>
> Sam
>
> --
> Sam Walters
>
> Baltimore, MD