Date:         Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:48:33 -0500
Reply-To:     Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: prospective '82 diesel -good mechanicals, so-so body
Comments: To: Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BLU136-W29C1389DE71F56EBBFC727DB210@phx.gbl> (Edward Duntz's
              message of "Sun\, 17 Feb 2008 22\:09\:02 -0500")
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM> writes:

> How about opinions on rebuilt engine with rusty body vs. older
> engine and good body?

Well, I always feel that I'd rather deal with almost ANY other issue
besides rust.  With rust, there's always about 10 times more than you
can actually see, and once it starts it's very difficult to actually
stop it, the only way is to cut it out, and weld in new metal.

If you have the tools and experience to do good body work (I don't),
you may feel differently.  Also depends on your objectives -- if you
just need something for utility for a few years or as long as it
lasts, as long as the rust is not seriously compromising the vehicle's
structural integrity you may be happy enough to just let it go.  If
you are thinking about repairing significant rust, unless you've done
this kind of restoration before you might want to talk to some people
who have about the amount of work you'll be getting into.

Allan
--
1991 Vanagon GL