Date:         Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:51:31 -0400
Reply-To:     Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Reflections on working on a waterboxer. :-)
Comments: To: courtney hook <courtneyhook@SHAW.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <fba59db61228c.4da2f951@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I highly agree!  I have worked on early bus, breadloaf bus, and early AC
Vanagon.  The waterboxer version is the easiest to work on even though
you will have to put a pan under it for many jobs that involve taking a
coolant fitting loose to work on something else (just put alternator
mount on a 1.9l engine today and you can't get to the bolts without
moving a coolant pipe out of the way).

In fact I would say the Vanagon waterboxer is one of the most easy to
work on vehicles I have ever dealt with.  I have worked on Fords,
Chevys, Nissans, Mazdas, etc.  Most of them require special tools to do
really simple jobs.  I went to replace the alternator on a Mazda MPV.  I
foolishly thought it would be similar to changing the alternator on a
Vanagon waterboxer (10 mins).  Instead it took me over five hours or
grueling, painful, wrenching that I did not enjoy in the least.  It
involved pulling the passenger side CV axle!  Be thankful you are
working on a Vanagon and not anything else.

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242



On 4/11/2011 3:51 PM, courtney hook wrote:
> OK, after working on a 84 WBX engine for the last few days I don't wanna hear anymore snivelling about access to things like the alternator or general engine work compared to my 77 Westy India rubber man contortionist engine access. :-)
> I'm gettin' me a WBXer man!
> Courtney
>