Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:03:49 -0700
Reply-To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: body work vs. mechanical work
In-Reply-To: <47D5AE35.7060609@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Andrew, you might want to do a Search for Rob Becida's Subaru Conversion
posts. You too Ken.
He installed a 2.2 for less than $2500, including the sheet of plywood he
did the wiring harness on!
On Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 2:55 PM, Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net>
wrote:
> Andrew,
> I have never heard of anyone doing a conversion for less than just
> replacing the waterboxer with a rebuilt one. I know there have been
> many people who thought they were going to get by cheaper but after all
> was said and done it is always more expensive. And it only makes sense
> that it is. If you replace the waterboxer with a rebuilt one there may
> be many parts (exhaust, coolant system, etc.) that you may be able to
> reuse. If you are putting a subaru in you are looking at a new exhaust
> system, new coolant system, new clutch, etc. It is just the name of the
> game. A nice, low mileage subaru engine is not something that you can
> find under any rock. If you do find one, usually people will want some
> money for it.
>
> My point is if you want to go the cheapest route go with stock. If you
> want to do a Subaru conversion then do that but don't expect it to be
> cheaper.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
> Richards, Andrew wrote:
> > My vanagon is nearing a crossroads in its life. With 160K on the
> > original engine and transmission, I'm starting to think hard about its
> > future. Its body is pretty darn straight, but seam rust is creeping
> > along and a body shop just quoted me $1500 to fix all the rust
> > (windshield too) and parking lot dents.
> >
> >
> >
> > What should come first? Body or mechanical issues? I've always
> > understood it's best to attack rust ASAP because it'll only get more
> > expensive to fix. On the other hand, dropping a large chunk of $$$ into
> > body work on a van who's guts are getting on in years may be futile for
> > a guy who's pockets aren't that deep. What would you do? I'm also
> > considering a do-it-yourself Subaru conversion, which could save me 1-2K
> > compared to a pro WBX rebuild.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> >
> >
> > Andrew
> >
> > '87 GL
> >
> > Portland, OR
> >
> >
>
--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
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