Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:28:00 -0700
Reply-To: DAN ROTBLATT <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: DAN ROTBLATT <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Buying a Van
In-Reply-To: <BANLkTimW3qV8=td9evLqdK+fcPM3DDfJmA@mail.gmail.com>
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Thanks Neil,
That's good info. All the vans I'm looking at are 4 speed manuals. Since I'm
buying primarily for camping trips, I like the manual - better gas mileage too.
The add for the '82 gas conversion says they put a new ignition system and
exhaust in it, so it may be prone to the exhaust cracking issue. On the other
hand, I'm a metal artist so I have a MIG and am happy to use it! If I get that
one, I'll ask around and see what needs to be done to reinforce the exhaust.
Thanks again,
Dan
________________________________
From: neil n <musomuso@gmail.com>
To: Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@verizon.net>
Sent: Thu, April 14, 2011 9:28:47 AM
Subject: Re: Buying a Van
Sounds like you're a good candidate for a self maintained Westy. :)
You got some long responses, so pmailed as this may have been covered.
I've only done one swap, but it was a true DIY affair so I learned a
lot. I've also done my own wrenching. (wrong or right. <grin>)
Re: Jetta engine swap. Eyeball:
engine bay wires, hose routing, etc. i.e. If wires secured from
flopping around, this may mean swapper paid attention to other
details.
exhaust. At manifold, if one pipe, big C clips, donut gasket, and
exhaust looks like it's been there a while, that may mean exhaust
hasn't been cracking. Some swaps suffer from chronic exhaust cracking.
"Captain pike" (Bill W) on thesamba.com Vanagon forum runs a 1.8 CIS
(mechanical), 1 pipe exhaust. Images of his swap should be in the
gallery. His posts can be arcane in wording, but he seems to know his
stuff and may have pertinent info for you.
The older style transaxles aren't inherently "bad", but a very
knowledgeable source told me that the WBX tranny (assuming 3/4 slider
hubs ok) is better designed. If that diesel has a 5 speed diesel
tranny, that can be a nice advantage. i.e. may provide better gearing
options for hills. (4th instead of 3rd on 4 spd.).
Lots to consider. As you know, they can all be "projects". Much like
owning a sail boat IMO. If you buy one, buy a Bentley manual too.
Good luck,
Neil.
On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 8:55 PM, Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hi all. I'm new here, just now shopping for a vanagon westfalia. I
> was wondering if I could get some input on some vans available in the
> area that I'm interested in. I'll be looking at them this coming week
> and wanted to get some input as to what to look for. I'll modify any
> info I get with the condition of the car as i see it - especially
> rust (which I know is a real issue). I've done a lot of reading and
> I am mechanically inclined - I've just finished rebuilding a 1966
> triumph spitfire, and I had a '67 split window van (with the mini-pop
> top) back in the day. $5k is my top dollar or i would go for an
> '86-91 model.
>
> The first van is a 1982 diesel with a gas jetta engine from the
> nineties (1.8 or 1.9 liter I believe). I know to look to see if the
> transaxle (or is it a transmission in these?) is from a later model
> cause the diesel ones are geared differently and the 1980-83
> transaxle aren't very good.
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
