Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (March 2008, week 2)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:34:24 -0800
Reply-To:     neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: body work vs. mechanical work
Comments: To: "Richards, Andrew" <Andrew.Richards@nike.com>
In-Reply-To:  <200803102115.m2ALFFXT011357@barrierN241.nike.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi.

If it were me, and I was thinking of doing a DIY engine conversion (wait a minute.... I am doing one! ) I would get out my wire wheel, strip off what i could of rust/leftover seam material, and POR-15 or other, rust treat it, then do the conversion. Great way to get my "feet wet" before tackling a conversion. I wouldn't worry about the dings for now.

I would nurse that engine along, do what rust work (preventitive stuff) I could on my own, and start saving for the conversion parts. Unless you're totally stripping the entire van down to clean bare metal, all one can do is slow the rust down. IMHO.

Hopefully the timing between nursing, saving $ and learning what's needed would happen before a major part goes on your engine.

Now back to cutting my input shaft....... --- ;^)

Neil.

Your engine On 3/10/08, Richards, Andrew <Andrew.Richards@nike.com> 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 > -- Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco" http://web.mac.com/tubaneil http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.