Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2015 10:00:37 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: GEX Vanagon Engines
In-Reply-To: <713114075.6974960.1426943686169.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
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I'm dealing with a GEX deal someone else installed now on a 72 Bus. Yep only lasted one trip! Most of the tin was missing and the engine over heated to the point the heads melted inside. Many engine replacements don’t last due to the cause of the first failure not being identified and corrected. Especially on the later air cooled engines. One of my friends had a GEX failure, a valve seat fell out. This is on an 81 camper. We replaced just the one head and all is well. Added some instrumentation including a cylinder head temp gauge. Yes it runs too hot going over 65. His EGR system is missing. Yes these engines need the EGR. Again many will blame the engine supplier but they can’t correct the missing support systems. In the last year or so I have dealt with 3 engines from a current popular supplier. It's amazing how much weld one can add to a head, even on the outside. And those cheapie piston-liner sets, the piston slap is awful when cold.
Like I said, go custom and know what you are getting and be sure everything is right in the vehicle.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of J Stewart
Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2015 9:15 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: GEX Vanagon Engines
I haven't seen much over the years about GEX on the Vanagon list, but back in my air cooled days the Type2 list was full of horror stories about GEX. Engines that were lucky to last 5,000 miles, no one ever got a core refund back, etc. That said, I bought a 1975 Westy once, (around 1998) according the PO the engine was rebuilt and had 78K on it. Not long after buying it I found the letters "GEX" stamped into the case. I put another 10K on that engine before selling it to a guy who commuted 100 miles a day in for quite some time before he sold it. So, at one time they may have been good, but after all the negatives I've read about them over the years, I wouldn't buy one of their rebuilds.
----- Original Message -----
> 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!
