Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:38:57 -0700
Reply-To: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: In praise of VW inline fours
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> > You point out that the ABA has longer rods
> which minimize vibration.
> This> > > is
> a good observation, the rod ratio of the ABA
is
around 1.7, vs. for
> example
the zetec which is 1.58. The ABA is
>theoretically less prone to
> vibration,
>but because it isn't balanced as precisely,
>it
>isn't.
I can balance a stack of 12 full wine glasses
on
the hood..
No I can't! I forgot , ther isn't a hood!
Mine defies the statistics- there is no
vibration
that is noticeable.
The Diesel engine mounts were designed for
vibration, and harmonic crank pulley also
helps
lessen vibration.
But I have nothing to complain about as far as
vibration goes.
Torque? Not a problem either. I've towed
Vanagons
thousands of miles.
That is, with a towbar attached to the front of
a
Vanagon, I have towed it cross -state with my
ABA
powered Wesfalia. Not at all like towing with
a
V-6 or 8, but do-able . Havcing the five-speed
trans helps.
I did'nt have the Zetec or Subaru choice or
wasn't aware of it in 1995, but would'nt have
done it either as mine was VW Diesel
originally.
Zetec and Subie does make sense, mostly for
practical reasons: The Diesel components are
much
less common.
So I think they are great choices in some
ways.
I don't believe it's a matter of numbers.
If I had been presented with more choices in
1995
besides VW inline fours, I would have chose
the
Rabbit engine anyway.
I bought my Vanagon Diesel at a junkyard
(Bry's)and they had boxes full of inline
fours
for 400.00 each.
For those with WBX or air-cooled, the Zetec
and
the Subie offer more convenience due to
availabily.
The inline may have gotten a bad rap from the
Tiico which featured many inferior components.
They have upggraded the hardware, I do not
know
as of lately if the other known problems have
been solved.
It's natural to think of using an engine made
by
the original vehicle manufacturer.
We have changed the stats anyway by placing
these
engines in a Vanagon.
Robert
1982 Westfalia
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