Date: Thu, 29 May 2014 10:44:11 -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: <036201cf7b5f$94d76f50$be864df0$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Stuart..
Great analysis.... but you have the 1.9 which is going to add more money to the equation... at least from Go Westy.
To note, when we opened my engine, my mechanic was pretty impressed of the over condition... guess this dry desert air does have some advantages...
As an FYI, have you done the same for a 2.2 Subu conversion... My initial figure is about $7K max for parts to include zero time a rebuilt engine... what are you coming up with?
Thanks
John
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 10:01 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: WBX Recommendations Sought
Opening up a 1987 engine that has been sitting for 13 years will be a can of worms. The coolant will have depleted all its anticorrosion additives and the studs will likely be rusty and pitted, along with the jugs. Heads corroded as well.
And as Dennis said, the support systems have been sitting for 13 years as well, and are all likely to need replacing.
I’d try to get it running and see what happens. If that can’t be done, then I’d do a conversion, which will require a lot of new support systems as well, but many will be cheaper (like the exhaust).
The analysis I did that pushed me over to a conversion:
DIY option:
Go Westy 2.2 kit: $1300 (plus $750 core charge, $450 not refundable for the 1.9 rods and crank that I have)
Go Westy reworked heads: $1000
Head studs @ $30 ea, up to 16: $480
Pushrod tubes (old ones likely rusty) $160
Water pump: $75
Oil pump: $40
Engine gasket kit: $120
Exhaust system: $700
Total: $4355 + $450 non-refundable core = $4805
Now it might look like it makes sense to order the complete engine from Go Westy and get a warranty:
2.2 engine: $4295
Core: $1000, probably get $600 back if lucky.
Total: $4695 plus $300 shipping, and still need to add $700 exhaust.
I’d only save about $600-$700 doing it myself and have no warranty, which is just not worth it to me.
I’d rather spend the money on a modern conversion.
Stuart
From: Don Hanson [mailto:dhanson928@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 9:28 PM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: WBX Recommendations Sought
$5000 or more to do a partial rebuild? That sounds pretty silly-expensive, especially with the rest of the motor left untouched...but if you have the money and you simply must have a WBX motor, why not do it that way and have a little more peace of mind when you go traveling?
When I was racing and I asked myself a question like that.....I made it a practice to just go ahead and do the work, spend the money...If I didn't, and something blew up or failed during a racing trip....I'd have cursed myself and wasted lots of money only to have a bad experience..(I once went from Portland to Wisconsin for a race and got just three laps before my timing belt failed...even though my engine builder (ex-engine builder) said he replaced it.....Waste of time and lots of money, not to mention towing across the plains for nothing......I think it would be the same to go on a trip with your family after deciding..."Oh, I guess I don't really need to replace or rebuild the ______, and then to have the _______ fail in Wamsutter, Wy or some other garden spot and spend days repairing it rather than getting on with your fun vacation travels..
Personally I could find a lot of better things to do with $5k than put new stuff on an old WBX motor...but that's just me...and maybe Stuart...hee hee. One thing I would do for certain is whatever you do to the motor be sure to put on a good chunk of normal miles before you head out....to make certain everything is working as it should after that much work...
