Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 05:33:44 -0800
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Replace Heads or Engine?
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTikxEOUAhS9wP8TsBPKKMxCkVK-yZZej5F6Gb5d8@mail.gmail.com>
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Roger,
You might want to consider changing to an inline VW motor, "while you are
in there". I am not going to be a cheerleader for MY particular engine
swap...like everyone seems to do, but.....(here it comes, anyway)
When I see "these" expense estimates to repair/replace the WBX motors and
compare them to what I've encountered myself or read about from others, it
'pencils-out' that even starting from scratch, an inline VW is a much less
expensive alternative. Like probably around half price, even the first
time out, including gathering all the diesel van parts needed and having
someone else do the work.
Then, 100-200-300k miles down the road, when that inline wears out, you
can get another one for around $300, used or spring for a fancy totally
rebuilt one with all kinds of trick parts for a couple of grand.
That is 'my take' on the cost factor. Performance? I have never owned a
WBX Vanagon but from what I read on the list about how they go and their gas
mileage..an inline VW motor is an upgrade in both areas. My opinion only,
based on hearsay. Don't flame me for the 'pre-qualified' opinion, please.
My own inline has given me 50k miles at 23.5mpg..I know that for certain.
OK, now the drawbacks everyone loves to cite, before everyone starts in on
me and my suggestion..
There is no Kit that I know of for an inline swap, other than maybe the
Tiico, if they are around still. Inline VW swaps are not "Cool" like a SVX
or a Bostig...They are sort of 'old hat' and VW actually put some of these
motor's in from the factory and sold them in other countries besides the US
and Canada. Where's the fun in having a plain old VW motor that just runs?
Just tossing that out, the inline alternative..Many are not aware the
inline VW is even a viable choice to the more popular fixes for busted WBX
motors.
Also, I see many almost give-away WBX motors on various lists, as people
swap to engines other than the WBX, but you'd probably just be getting
someone else's problematic motor if you picked up on one of those..
Don Hanson
On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 4:05 AM, Roger VanTill <motelvw@gmail.com> wrote:
> Check out Chris' motors. I'd spend the $4000 on one of these.
>
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=514460
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 12, 2010 at 11:52 PM, Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@yahoo.com
> >wrote:
>
> > List....
> > To make a long story short, I fried my heads this past weekend (both
> > cracked) on I-95 before I could shut it down. Engine is stock 2.1 L
> > wasserboxer.
> > To replace the heads will be about $2600 USD parts and labor. I'm
> guessing
> > a rebuilt wasserboxer will be at least $4000 (P&L) by the time all is
> said
> > and done......a conversion a couple thousand to several more.
> > Over the weekend I'm puzzling out whether it makes sense to replace the
> > heads on an engine on which I have run about 100K miles, and really have
> no
> > idea how many miles it had on it before I bought it (body has about 320K
> on
> > odometer). Oil has been 15-50 Mobil One. I hate to throw good money
> > against bad, but certainly $2600 is better than $4000 +.
> > Before the overheating incident the engine ran well. My fuel economy has
> > dropped significantly over the last two years, but I don't really
> understand
> > if that is a sign of a worn out engine or not (O2 sensor replaced in the
> > last year). I have no compression data, and don't think I can get it
> with
> > cracked heads.
> > I already have one vote for replacing heads by George in Atlanta,
> assuming
> > that all else has been well (thanks, George!).
> > I appreciate feedback from those who have been there, and those who have
> > not.
> > Thanks, Anthony (sunny northeast Florida)'89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> --
> Peace out, sauerkraut.
> Roger
>
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