Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2014 17:58:48 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Looking for Tires, and a good mechanic in Texas.
In-Reply-To: <570E9FB7-CA24-453F-B018-01B1965F246A@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
What are you doing here? You bought a van knowing it had an engine fire and
your plan is have it repaired? It doesn't even have tires that it can roll
on to be towed or trailered? Was it that much of a bargain? Do you know why
and what really burned? Not all engine fires are caused by fuel leaks. Maybe
the engine overheated to the point of melting something and starting a fire.
Yes they do happen that way. I have even seen fires started by overheated
manual transmissions. Yes they can get that hot. I have some melted pinion
gears. Maybe I am completely miss understanding your message.
I would wait until you get there. Find a shop you want to do the work and
get it there and they can help with tires and all. Get good quotes. 14"
tires are becoming harder and harder to find. If your heart is set to
restore this vehicle for long term use consider investing in some 16" wheels
so you can get common tires such as 225/60-16's. Those you can get most
anywhere.
Another option for shipping is to send to one of the packing and shipping
stores. They can also receive shipments.
I have done a number of engine fire repairs over the years. Usually this is
a symptom of a vehicle with many things wrong.
This sounds like a project vehicle that most likely only makes sense for do
it yourself restoration.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Julianna Elligsen
Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 10:18 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Looking for Tires, and a good mechanic in Texas.
Ok, so I am finally going back to Texas to deal with the 91 Vanagon
Westfalia I bought! One of the issues I need to solve is putting tires on
this van, so I can move it around and haul it! Trying to find tires in
Texas that are properly rated appears to be difficult! The van is in Vidor
Texas. Is there anyone on the list in that general area that knows where I
can buy the correct tires???? I would prefer to buy them down there than
buying them here, and having them take up space while we camp our way down
from Oregon. I could buy tires online I suppose, but would need an address
to ship them to down there! Also needing a good shop in the general area
to have the engine put back together! The PO supposedly had it rebuilt, but
it caught fire a couple months after. Thankfully it was contained and
didn't do damage to the interior! Thinking they didn't change fuel lines.
Anyway, I am hoping the collective brains here can help me! Ideas anyone?
Julianna
541-231-4383
1991 VW Vanagon Westfalia (Ophelia)
1990 VW Vanagon Westfalia (The Rastafalia). The Parts Van
1988 VW Vanagon Tintop (James)
1985 VW Vanagon Weekender Westfalia (Texas 2)-For Sale
1985 VW Scirocco-For Sale
