Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 09:57:14 -0400
Reply-To: Mike B <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike B <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: request for information, please
In-Reply-To: <21821380.4102385.1379079972455.JavaMail.root@vms170015>
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These air-cooled engines in this application are already overstressed
and run very hot; look at their well-known history of dropped valves,
seats and cracked heads. I wouldn't hesitate to build up a modified
2.-whatever Type4 (and have!) for use in a Beetle of Karmann Ghia
application with upright cooling tins.
But having owned, driven, rebuilt and modified several of these
engines and VW busses of all types from splitties to WBX Vanagon
Campers, I can say with extensive experience that it's not good to
expect more out of a 2-liter aircooled engine in a Vanagon. They are
under-powered and over-stressed, which is the fact that forced VW into
adopting the WBX for that application. I love the power, speed and
acceleration of my 2.1WBX engine in my '87 Westy GL. It just eclipses
my previous busses in every way.....
YMMV,
Mike B.
On 9/13/2013 9:46 AM, David Bjorkman wrote:
> If you are worried about more power, the air cooled 2.0 engine is
> prime for upgrading for extra power. One does not have to do major
> work also (like going to bigger pistons). A port and polish and some
> intake/exhaust work will increase power and not cost a lot if doing a
> rebuild. Cam and the like can be done also if you like, but does put
> extra work on the motor.
> Dave B.
> On 09/12/13, Dennis Haynes<d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 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 <mailto: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
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