Date:         Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:42:22 -0600
Reply-To:     Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Merffler options?
Comments: To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <4AB17348.8020201@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Mikee,

After considerable research & professional advice from the VW Dealer
while my 84 was in for 45k service (6 years ago), I went to Midas &
got their stock muffler for the 1.9 vanagon.  I compared it w/ the OG
one that came off because the baffles were floating around inside, &
it appeared to be identical in size, shape, weight, etc to the og.
Cost moi about $125 installed w/ life time warranty, which 80k miles
later I am still enforcing. The VW one was about $280 at the time
IIRC. Since then I have added the Terry K heavy duty muffler bearing
strap, which  Midas has had to weld to the muffler to keep it from
rattling twice, & my copper nutted muffler bolts keep coming loose &
falling off, but OTT, it has served moi well.  I think the special
ordered muffler was about $90, w/ hardware & install the rest, so even
tho you can have the lad do it, it probably is worth it to have it
"Midasized" w/ the potential cost of skinned knucles, ER visits, other
broken parts thrown in?

YMMV,

Mr. BZ

On Sep 16, 2009, at 5:22 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:

> I've not actually been under there to look, what with the broken
> ankle and
> all*, but my son reports that the old merffler on my 1.9l 84 auto
> transmission is starting to get a certain "lacy" look to it. I think
> that
> I can shortly expect more exhaust to come out of places that it isn't
> supposed to come out of than that where it is meant to come out.
>
> Is replacing the thing an E-Z thing.? I hope it does not usually
> involve
> advanced welding skills, giant pit in the floor to stand it, a
> background
> in metallurgica, and a pipe-bending engine.
>
> For replacement merfflers, are there lots of choices?
>
> =================
>
> * Physical therapist is a devotee of the marquis de Sade
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR