Date:         Thu, 29 May 2014 07:50:18 -0700
Reply-To:     John Schwartz <pa38112@ROADRUNNER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Schwartz <pa38112@ROADRUNNER.COM>
Subject:      Re: WBX Recommendations Sought
In-Reply-To:  <029201cf7ae1$e97f0640$bc7d12c0$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

For $5K he could get a new engine built and installed by one of the expert
such as Vanistan, Rocky Jenning, et al^  

As a reference I did almost everything he is looking to do, that is new
rings, new heads, seals and gaskets, ALL hoses and SS pipes, thermostat,
Temp II sensor, installed oil pressure  and temp switched and gauges, oil
pump, water pump, fuels lines and regulator, and swapped out all the plastic
coolant engine fittings...  I didn't need to replace the barrels or pistons
and this advice came from a gentleman that was more than willing to sell me
more the parts.....  we cleaned them up and life is good...   The total cost
was $2200 for parts (the heads were not cheap) and about $1000 for labor....
and I got to help and learned a few things...  that was the best $1000 I
have spent on this van...  

When I got the van we put about 1000 miles on (400 the first day) to shake
out all the problems...  and those "I have been sitting for about 14 years"
gremlins reared their ugly heads.... quickly.... 

Regarding your 1.9L....  I put close to 180K on one of those in just a
little under six years.... 85 Capri Blue Tin Top.... some of these miles
were pulling a Prindle catamaran all over god's creation on the west
coast.... it is a stout little engine....  and the van never let me down.
The only things I replaced were the water pumps (3 of them) and a
clutch..... Yes, you should nurse that engine... owning and keeping one of
these things running is not a cheap proposition as I am sure you know and a
lot more expensive if you do things on the cheap.... 

I too am looking to do the Subie conversion....  I am currently acquiring
the parts....  just missed out on a 92 Legacy for $2K with only 100K on the
clock...  Oh well!  keep looking
   
Good luck




-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart MacMillan [mailto:stuartmacm@gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 7:02 PM
To: 'John Schwartz'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: WBX Recommendations Sought

There are some serious "while you are at its" here!  He'll be into it $5000
or more, and I would not do the Go Westy 2.2 kit without doing the bottom
end too.

That's why I'm nursing my stock 1.9 for a while longer, and he may be able
to use that old engine too.  I'd rather put the $5000+ into a Subaru
conversion.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John Schwartz
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 4:26 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: WBX Recommendations Sought

My van was a similar situation that is sat for many years.....  once I got
her running there were a few coolant and oil leak that I wanted to tend
to....   She had about 95000 on the clock..  

Once apart we went ahead and did a rebuild similar to what you're looking
at...  I only did this in place of a new engine because I know I'll be
swapping it out for a Subi in another year or so.... and have some serious
road trips planned for this summer... 

With that:

I would recommend going with the Rocky Jennings or GoWesty configured AMC
heads....  You spending about $100 more, but they will have the upgraded
valves and machined ports etc.....   

Your cylinder barrels should be OK, but sitting there may have been some
rust and pitting which could cause some burring oil from oil blow by....
check them.... may be able to get by with honing them.    if you do go with
new barrels etc.. may as well go for the gusto and get the 2.2 kit from
Go-Westy.....  

H2O Pump.... absolutely...  and while you're at it change out the plastic
coolant system fittings that come off the engine.... what the hell was
Dieter thinking about when they installed theses at the factory....  and
while the system is down may as well change ALL the hoses....  Van Café has
a kit alredy to go... A little pricy, but in the end it is cheaper than
having to go to five different places....   Also flush the system and
replace it with G12....  I know I'll hear some push back on this...  

Your oil pump should be OK.....  but considering it is a $50 part and four
bolts, may as well go for it....   Also, you may consider installing an oil
pressure and temp senders/switches...  

Also, no mention of your fuel lines....  it goes with our saying....  and
your pressure regulator may need to be swapped out too....  

All in all, my engine feels pretty tight, has good torque, hums like a
sewing machine, and I wouldn't think twice about a 3K mile run in her
tomorrow...    I may postpone the Subi for another year....  but I am still
collecting parts!!!!


Good luck