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Date:         Sun, 15 Apr 2007 17:38:03 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: In praise of aircooled vanagons
Comments: To: Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <46226788.9020409@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Here in sunny and warm PhxAZ, 40 - 50,000 miles is not an unusual life span for a van engine.

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Mark Drillock Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2007 10:57 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: In praise of aircooled vanagons

While some people had good service out of their aircooled Vanagon engines lots of other did not. I know of people who bought them new and swore to never buy another VW again.

Certainly they are simpler than waterboxer models.

Last year I bought a used aircooled engine and tranny from an owner who had just completed a swap to a wateboxer 2.1. He is a younger German fellow living just south of SF. He did a very nice job, using parts from an 87 donor I think.

Mark

Zoltan wrote: > In general, I agree with this report and I think, if it was a little more > powerful and a little more quieter, and if the heater would work better, > more guys would stay with those engines. > I have not heard yet, that one converted a water cooled one to an air > cooled > VW engine. I seen a Porsche six cylinder conversion though. > Zoltan > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mike Rouby" <mikerouby@YAHOO.COM> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2007 9:55 AM > Subject: Re: In praise of aircooled vanagons > > >> I can't say enough about how reliable my 1982 (Count 'em - 25 years >> old on >> it's original engine - which is proof positive) my aircooled Westy is. >> >> When my engine does eventually expire, I hope to put another 25 more >> years >> or so on it's replacement. >> >> To date I have had: >> >> * no expensive head seals go due to coolant issues >> * never had to stop due to overheating even with my A/C on >> * no head bolts eaten away by coolant >> * never had to flush my antifreeze >> * never had to worry which type of coolant is needed >> * never had to replace heater cores >> * never had to purge air from my cooling system >> * never had to replace the radiator or get it sent for cleaning >> * never had to change a water pump >> * no coolant hoses, clamps or pipes to replace >> * no expensive water-cooled engine conversions >> * to slow down below 70 mph so I don't get tickets :) >> >> Yes, there are issues with any engine design (even so-called bulletproof >> Audi 5cyls, Chrysler slant-sixes, Volvo 4cyls and Mercedes iron-headed >> Diesels) - no one can claim their engine design as flawless. The VW >> aircooled engine is no 'Rolls Royce' >> >> But I can whole-heartly claim that I would rather drive cross-country in >> an aircooled vanagon than a waterboxer anyday. It's just more reliable >> and while the watercooled models are faster, the aircooled speeds are >> good >> enough for me! :) >> >> Oh by the way, my other car is a 1966 Beetle :) >> >> Nathaniel Poole <myth.wright@GMAIL.COM> wrote: So we arrived home last >> night after a two week trip to southern California >> via the scenic route all along the coast until Big Sur (what's a Sur?) >> Across to Fresno and back up again. Total over 3500 miles. The van ran >> without no more a hitch than the shift linkage needed adjusting on the >> way >> down. Balmy 73 degree weather and sun and the rattling purr of a sweet >> two >> litre behind us. I kept the head temps below 370, and only noticed the >> temp/power issue during hills with a strong headwind, and it really was >> more >> of an issue of maintaining temperature than powering out. I've sworn to >> never take it above 400. There were four adults in that van and while it >> felt a little crowded at times, we actually got a lot closer as a family. >> With kids on the verge of leaving home the gap just gets wider. >> >> This was our first "shakedown" camping trip with Marty the Zebra and I am >> amazed at this rig. After all the stories I had read I was expecting the >> clouds of smoke or oil or death-knell rattle and bang. By the time we >> reached Monterey I gave up worrying and just enjoyed the trip. And who >> knew >> oranges grew on trees, anyway? So cool. >> >> To top it all off I came back with a rust-free 68 single cab in tow; I >> think >> that should keep me busy for a year. >> >> I don't get any better folks, really it don't. >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? >> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos. >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/761 - Release Date: 4/14/2007 >> 9:36 PM >> >> >


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