Date:         Wed, 8 Apr 2009 11:27:26 -0700
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Engine Rebuild Questions
In-Reply-To:  <4d1b79350904071748g1c47d80frc3607e30f6ca5553@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

It's like a piano tuner who doesn't like a Steinway, a pianist
who does not like Chopin, a violinist who doesn't like Stradivarius
violins. However, one very good auto repair mechanic that people
like to go to in my neighborhood always told people to go to the
dealers, sell the car, get rid of the car, it's a piece of garbage,
etc. It makes everyone wonder why he hated all the cars brought to
him and yet could do a good job. But as far as I heard he is a good
one. It's very unusual.

Don't pass a good mechanic. Check his reputation of his work. Not
every good mechanic is a good marketing person. He may be a good one
who does not advertise well for himself.

David



--- On Tue, 4/7/09, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Engine Rebuild Questions
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 5:48 PM
> I'm sorry but a mechanic that doesn't like german
> motors is like a
> collector that doesn't like French art or a listener
> who doesn't like
> American music. Something is wrong with this picture.
> 
> Keep looking.
> 
> Jim
> 
> On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 7:16 PM, aatransaxle
> <daryl@aatransaxle.com> wrote:
> > He dislikes them???Yet he will oblige you and do
> one??? Call me an old
> > nitpikcy fart, but if the guy doesn't "like
> them", is he doing a decent job
> > and is he familiar with the nuances of these silly
> german motors???
> >
> > < In fact he said he really
> > <dislikes working on all the German engines
> regardless if it is VW,
> >
> > Daryl of AA Transaxle
> > (425) 788-4070
> > aatransaxle.com
> > 86 Syncro Westy
> > Zetec in the trunk
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Robert Stewart"
> <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 11:32 AM
> > Subject: Re: Engine Rebuild Questions
> >
> >
> >> Just got back from a meeting the rebuilder and we
> are replacing:
> >>
> >> oil pressure valve
> >> oil pressure relief piston spring
> >> All New Lifters
> >> New AMC Spanish Heads
> >> Wrist Pin Bushings
> >> Cam Shaft - Reground from Van-Cafe
> >> Complete Gaskets Replacement of All seals
> >> Piston Cylinder Kit - From Van Cafe - German Mahle
>  ( does anyone
> >> recommend the 2.2 piston kit from Vanagain or GW?)
> >> Piston Engine Ring Set - Grant Brand
> >> Standard Main Bearing Set
> >> Crank Shaft bearing kit
> >> Rod Bearings - Standard
> >> New Temp Sensor with Lower threshold to keep the
> engine cooler* - Van
> >> Cafe 80 degree
> >> New Oil Pressure Sensors
> >>
> >>
> >> The rebuilder said all the other parts looked
> good.
> >>
> >> Indeed he has done these before he said and he
> realizes the
> >> complicated nature of how torque ratio's and
> well as the extreme
> >> precision of the tolerances are required. In fact
> he said he really
> >> dislikes working on all the German engines
> regardless if it is VW,
> >> Mercedes or BMW. For him hey says they use way to
> many bolts and misc.
> >> parts to complicate the process. He told me once
> the parts arrive he
> >> can have it done within 3-4 days. Sound about
> right?
> >>
> >> Am I missing any other crucial parts to replace?
> >>
> >> He said the crank, stud bolts and other key parts
> all looked good and
> >> said the engine seems in otherwise good shape for
> its age.
> >>
> >> Thanks for assistance.
> >>
> >> Rob
> >> NY
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Apr 6, 2009, at 1:29 PM, Robert Stewart wrote:
> >>
> >>> Good Monday to everyone,
> >>>
> >>> I have a local engine rebuilder working on my
> 2.1 Automatic engine
> >>> which had roughly 250,000 miles on it.
> >>>
> >>> He informed my heads needed to be replaced. I
> could clearly see the
> >>> space between the two valves having a
> indentation bridging them and
> >>> the surface areas were very badly pitted.
> >>>
> >>> I planned on purchasing a set of rebuilt heads
> from Van-Cafe, anyone
> >>> think this a good or bad idea?
> >>> Anyone used them before? Have any feedback?
> >>>
> >>> Secondly is there anything regarding the
> rebuild that is a must to
> >>> replace component wise since he has it all
> apart?
> >>> i.e. sleeves, pistons, camshaft etc...
> >>>
> >>> I am awaiting a final parts list from him now
> but want to be sure I am
> >>> not missing anything.
> >>>
> >>> Before he rebuilds it he is going to be
> cleaning all the parts in a
> >>> special bath then glass bead blasting the non
> sensitive parts.
> >>>
> >>> Also how long should a standard rebuild take?
> i.e. 7-21 days? or is it
> >>> something that can be done in a 40 hour work
> week?
> >>> What kind of price should I expect?
> >>> He told me it would be roughly $1500 dollars.
> >>> He said he would be check to see if the
> camshaft needed to be reground
> >>> and would check all valves etc. His shop only
> does rebuilds but of
> >>> mostly race car engines and big truck engines
> so I trust he knows what
> >>> he is talking about. He is not a VW guy at all
> he just knows engines.
> >>> I did give him the Bentley just to be safe
> though.
> >>>
> >>> Any advice would be appreciated.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Robert
> >>> NY
> >