Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 06:55:07 +0100
Reply-To: Arkady Mirvis <arkadymirvis@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Arkady Mirvis <arkadymirvis@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: All engines have issues...
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTimdeBlbLKWMDCg-rvIuUM6r7v83YwEye-OZrjpX@mail.gmail.com>
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On the campground in Evora ( center of Portugal and a heat capital) I've
seen a dutchman - freelancer with AAZ 1.9 turbodiesel in Westfalia installed
12 years ago. The dutchman criss crossed Europe, Turkey, Siria, Jordan,
Emirates, Russia's European part. He proved all that with pictures. The only
problem the fellow had was a bad injector. Odometer reading 328400km. Lucky
man with great engine. Ark
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 11:40 PM
Subject: Re: All engines have issues...
> Hi Peter,
>
> I have (going on 3years now and about 85k miles) an 84 with a 92 1.8
> liter
> inline Golf/Jetta/Rabbit motor in it. It works fine for me and the
> previous
> owner also was happy with it.
>
> I think the Jetta Mk 3 motor, the one coded ABA, is supposed to be even
> slighty better than the Mk 11, the one I have. Mine has been outstanding
> so
> far. If this one ever does fail, I plan on replacing it with one of
> those.
> (93-97, I think they were made) They are supposed to have a bit more
> power...I have seen them available for around $300. I am told the ABA
> block, which ups the displacment to 2.0 liters will accept all the parts,
> direct bolt on, from my current 1.8 engine, which is an identical casting
> to
> the VW diesel offered in the diesel vans. Mine is mounted using all the
> factory diesel engine mounts.The electrics are from the gasoline vanagon.
> The Digifant fuel injection is very dependable, simple and inexpensive.
> Mine gets 23-24mpg always, more if driven slowly.
>
> I'd highly recommend the inline four VW conversion. From all the numbers
> I have seen it is by far the most economical way to run a Vanagon. I know
> looking at F.S. used conversions with other power, they are many times
> more
> expensive. I have certainly had no issues that cause me to think there
> are
> inherent problems of any kind using a Jetta Inline four in a Van.
>
> I would, however, avoid the CIS injection system motors...I understand
> that is an expensive and quirky system that didn't last through many model
> years in VW's product line.
>
> Oh...Every VW mechanic and shop I have ever visited likes to work on the
> inline VW motors...They are so plentiful and well known and parts are very
> cheap. Plenty of aftermarket upgrades available for the type, too.
> Don Hanson
>
> On Sat, May 22, 2010 at 11:18 AM, Peter K <bybike@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I read that line in the Frydae thread about what every vanagon owner
>> should
>> know (the Truth About...) and wanted to explore the idea. Please correct
>> anything I have wrong (remember, I'm a total newbie who's looking to take
>> that first leap off the cliff) and offer you're
>> opinions/comments/thoughts.
>>
>> I know the common alternatives to original engines are either Subaru (I
>> gather there are a few different models) or the Ford Zetec (with Bostic
>> being "the" conversion kit of choice for the Zetec). And I can see the
>> merits of a newer, more powerful engine. I also see the costs, I'm hoping
>> to
>> avoid that for a year-one project... so I've been looking for good sturdy
>> bodies that have also been cared for mechanically.
>>
>> One that I came across (and will visit on Monday) is an '83 wasserboxer
>> that
>> has had a 1.8L Golf engine put in. The current owner is the mechanic who
>> owned/ran Lorne Park Car Centre here in Toronto until he retired after 33
>> years. He has had the Westy for 11 years, so I would expect the Golf
>> engine
>> to be around 98-99 and probably from a Mk3 version of the Golf. I would
>> also
>> think he knows enough to keep his own vehicle reasonably well : )
>>
>> Obvious body etc are top of the list, I'm curious if a bus with this
>> engine
>> is a good candidate or if it puts me on the fast-path to replacing it?
>>
>> http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-minivans-vans-1983-Volkswagon-Westfalia-for-sale-W0QQAdIdZ201230065
>>
>>
>> --
>> /Peter K
>> > You can find me at http://studiofstop.com
>>
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