Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2015 08:50:19 -0400
Reply-To: Jack Reynaert <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jack Reynaert <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: GEX Vanagon Engines
In-Reply-To: <BAY405-EAS148B9EB9729BEFF6B9CBE29A00F0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Thank you for some great insight on this! This was very helpful.
-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 10:55 PM
To: 'Jack Reynaert'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: GEX Vanagon Engines
GEX has a bad reputation but I am not sure it is deserved. All engine
re-builders have to deal with reducing costs and only getting cores that are
beyond bolt on parts replacement repairs. What does that mean? That the only
engines they get are the ones that have over heated, run without oil
pressure, or incorrect fuel mixture-ignition timing so that the heads and
pistons were melted. This means that most engines you get will have cases
and heads that needed a lot of machine work and often welding repairs.
Consider also that many new parts are as good as they should be. Just think
of the SMC heads of 5 years ago. It didn't matter who the rebuilder was
there would be some valve issue at 30K miles.
The one thing I will say with GEX is that I have dealt with them for
warranty issues a few times over the years. If the problem was legitimate
and not due to owner-installer issues they always made good. They do pay
reduced labor rates but they will pay and I have seen them even pay shipping
both ways. And they pay shipping right, FedEx with lift gate service.
If you shop engines on price you may be disappointed.
Call, ask what you are getting, what upgrades are available such as new
heads and a better piston-cylinder set or even rings.
New heads, upgraded valves?
How is the case align bored?
Are the head studs tested-replaced?
Camshaft-lifters new or reground?
Crank, rods, pistons, flywheel balanced?
These are just some of the details for getting a good engine
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jack Reynaert
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 7:14 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: GEX Vanagon Engines
Does anyone have experience with this company?
https://www.gex.com/vanagon-motor.htm
We are looking at options for my friends 90 Westy, Automatic.
Considering Bus Depot, Go Westy and others... simple no-conversion either.
The van is used for summer camping only, and won't be driven in the Michigan
winters.
Thank you!
