Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:09:55 -0400
Reply-To: Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject: Re: What's really amazing about engine transplants?
At my shop, in front of me, on a shelf, is a reminder of my stupidity, a
burned EX valve:
http://www.benplace.com/head/heads017.jpg
http://www.benplace.com/head/heads014.jpg
http://www.benplace.com/head/heads018.jpg
In 2003, i left Montreal for Mexico, worse, Baja, that over 13,000miles,
with a sick 1700cc 1973 Camper Bus's, before i left, i had to work on the
engine, but i had not much time, so i did what i could to "fix" that engine
OK (carbs, Alt, Starter...) but never i took the compression, why, i didn't
want to look!!!! i had neither the money or time to fix that one, so i blame
the carbs, but in my heart, i was perfeclty aware that this engine was sick,
like hell it was. I was not ready to rebuilt this one and leave as soon as
it was rebuilt, i should have done that! The worse thing... i had a fine
spare head under the rear seat.
The short story, i went, i had all the trouble in the world (hange the carbs
9 time, i had spare ones + a new Weber), i was ready each day to burn the
van or kill someone... but i went, and came back, on one cylinder but that
is a very long story.
Anyway, that engine /camper van did it, on 1.5 cylinder, we did over 13,000
miles with a very sick engine, overheating all the time, ready to explode
any time, but he made it... back home with 3 cylinder with 0 compression.
Can you imagine that. This engine was crying for help, i was so stupid not
to listen. When i came back home, i open this one, put 2 rebuilt head, news
rings, some small stuff and i test driven the van, i cry, and cry and cry...
Today, this van is still running like a champ, same engine, 130 psi on each
cylinder.
So yes, they are amazing Camper van.
For those who want the long story:
http://www.benplace.com/baja_intro.htm
Ben
On Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:36:03 -0700, Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET> wrote:
>All the talk about various engines that work well in a Vanagon, and why
they do..which is best, etc etc. But what nobody has said, perhaps because
we all know but never even find it remarkable any longer because we've been
around them so much...
>
> The Vanagon is a great vehicle, one of a kind pretty much. It will do an
amazing job no matter which motor you stuff into it, do the job with little
fuss, be easy to work on. easy to park. easy to live with day to day..
>
> I think that is amazing. I've been pleasantly surprised many times as I
dig into new (to me) areas of my van..Sure, there are faults, like with any
mass produced vehicle..but compared to most, it's a truly fine piece of
equipment..
>
> Subaru, Z-teck, Ford, Porsche, even a 49 Studebaker motor, you would
still have a great vehicle..
> Don Hanson
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