Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:10:29 -0400
Reply-To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 81 Air cooled... Engine conversion options??
In-Reply-To: <10a2.6d7488a0.3c8e3771@aol.com>
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I'm on the fence on this one.
At 14 or 15 YO, I rebuilt a 36 HP Bug engine. I had some guidance but did
most of the work. For various reasons it died early. Granted it's the only
rebuild I've ever done, but from my POV, doing a rebuild that will last
more than a 100K miles takes experience and skills and/or money. Like even
if the OP gets a buddy to rebuild it or direct him, machine work costs.
Depending on ones experience level, comparing the miles seen out of their
DIY rebuild to a lower mileage water cooled engine swap, I'd suggest going
with water cooled. Especially if they went the DV parts route.
Here's a useful survey of various VW I4 swaps. (thank you Alistair!) This
may help with decisions. IIRC there's mention of swap costs here:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/bilbo/survey.html What is the parts cost for air
cooled rebuild parts?
As per Robert Keezer's comments, if the OP's air cooled heat exchange box
needs to be resealed time required to pull dash is moot. On that note I'd
strongly recommend the OP install a used WBX heater box for the swap. OTOH,
if one really wanted to be thrifty (depending on climate) they could g/w
only installing a rear heater. IMO though, that's not a great idea. Re:
cutting the lower rad hole. For me the hardest part was the first cut.
(much like a person installing a Westy pop top on a tin top feels). Even if
the hole isn't square it doesn't matter IMO. The grill will cover any
"sins". ..... well mostly: (you can kind of see how the mismatched
paint is visible! http://sites.google.com/site/tubaneil2/FrontGrill.jpg )
Neil.
On Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 1:14 PM, Jim Morgan <JM060356@aol.com> wrote:
My 2 cents worth.
> Just rebuild the air cooled engine. The cost and time of a conversion are
> way more than what the van is worth. especially TIME!
>
> In a week you could have it back on the road probably running better than
> it has in a long time and spend under a grand if you diy or havegood
> friends.
>
>
> just my .02 worth.
>
> Jim Morgan
> 80 vanagon "stink bomb"
> 74 super beetle
>
--
Neil n
65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
