Date:         Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:09:52 -0800
Reply-To:     Tyler Dann <tylerdann@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tyler Dann <tylerdann@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      New Westy owner with a few questions
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Greetings!

I bought a 1986 Vanagon Weekender (fridge removed) from the original owner
about a month ago. Dave is a great guy and only sold his van because he
couldn't fit all the grandkids in any more. He gave me a great deal and,
since he had taken his van to my neighbor (also my mechanic), I knew it was
a solid van.

The 2.1 L Wasserboxer had the head gasket resealed in 2003, a casualty of
our Anchorage winter climate. The same happened the next winter, after which
Dave didn't run the van below 20 F. He had original records from his first
drive down the Alcan (~ 22 mpg, I only get ~14 in town) and lots of great
stories. The van is gold, has a hint of rear rust but is otherwise cherry,
and came with good vibes.

So I am trying to learn as much as I can about my family's new ticket to
summer road trips and am impressed by this listserve! You guys know your
stuff! I've been bombarded for a week or so and have already learned a lot
(e.g., no light oil). I have a copy of Bentley's en route but have a few
questions for this group:

-What do other arctic/sub-arctic Wasserboxer owners do? Garage all winter?
Conversion? A mechanic friend of mine with a Eurovan says the conversion
route is foolish, and that instead of swapping the engine and everything
downstream I should simply have a rebuilt stock engine ready to swap out.
The uncertainty of future engine failure in a remote spot leaves me a bad
taste, but so does the cost/time of a conversion. I'll probably go back to
my bike next winter, but would love to learn about other options/opinions.
Canadians? Other Alaskans?

-What do you keep handy for road trips? I've ordered a belt, some fuses and
spark plugs, other ideas?

-Awning preferences? I'd like something robust to winds, those I've seen
seem pretty flimsy. I don't care about shade but am thinking about rain
protection to cook under.

-My scissor jack doesn't work for one corner because the inside jack port
rusted to the point of failure. So I'm thinking a 2X4 across the frame
members above the jack port with a standard jack for future tire changes.
Better ideas?

-Which battery powers what? The battery under the passenger seat is much
newer, Dave had it replaced three years ago, so I assume that powers the
starter. But what is the very old-looking battery under my seat power? Are
both recharged by the alternator? I look forward to Bentley for this one,
but would appreciate any words of wisdom.

That's all I can think of now, pretty late for me. I can appreciate that
these are amateur questions for this group, so if you want to reply to just
me, cool. Thanks for your time.

Cheers,
Tyler