Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (September 2013, week 2)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Thu, 12 Sep 2013 23:02:01 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: request for information, please
Comments: To: "Fuhrel, Robert" <robert.fuhrel@CSN.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <E7ADA6EE6961B945B5123CC4F8DBDF7126CFB962@OTSCYEXMB02.CSN.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The most reasonable approach will most likely be repairing or replacing your engine in like kind. Any step into a water cooled engine will become very expensive fast just due to the labor involved unless you can do it yourself. Not only do you need to install the cooling system you need to consider the heating-defrosting system even though you are in Florida. If you do decide to go the water cooled route the Waterboxers will bolt right in with just some metal trimming and a spacer for the tin at the rear. Replacing the transmission with a waterboxer one and drilling new holes for the rear engine carrier will even take care of the rear spacer thing. You can even use the air cooled engine management and ignition if you choose to.

Other options include selling yours as is and using that money plus what you would spend on the repairs to get a later Vanagon. 87 and later for the better AC systems.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Fuhrel, Robert Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 2:13 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: request for information, please

Greetings, I just got the bad news (maybe good news in the long run) that the engine in my air-cooled '83 Westy is old and worn out, one cylinder shot, and so on, and the mechanic, new to me, who seems honest and has a great reputation in my new town of Lakeland, Florida, recommends getting a different engine. He said I could drive this around town but that it might do more damage and would be running on only 75% power. I've had the Vanagon for eighteen years, all in Las Vegas, where a superb, fast, inexpensive and honest mechanic named Robert Madrid kept it going all that time. It is in overall excellent shape. So, I am asking list members if anyone knows someone in the Tampa-Lakeland (Orlando only if necessary, please) area who can put a different engine in, and what should I get if I can? I almost certainly can't afford a Porsche engine though I've heard that is possible, but it must entail all kinds of other modifications, probably transmission and so on. I also know vaguely that Subaru swaps can be done but know nothing about which Subaru engines would work. Perhaps another VW engine would be fine, but I'd like a little more power than what I've had all these years, something that would allow me to go faster than 35mph on hills (though Florida has few, from LV to anywhere I went up and down many hills no faster than that.) Any information will be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Best,

Bob


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.