Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2020 11:07:12 +0000
Reply-To: "ddbjorkman@verizon.net" <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "ddbjorkman@verizon.net" <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: 1.9 to 2.3 was: looking for a project?
In-Reply-To: <BA46337E-5519-4650-AFD6-956C0A7318B4@comcast.net>
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Hi Eric. Of course we would like to hear how it's going. This is good stuff. I have had Dennis do some work on my Westy also. He told me things I had no idea about. He is very detail orientated and really knows his stuff. All one has to do is read his posts helping others to know this. I went for trans work and ended up doing suspension work just before a 3 month road trip. I'm sure some of those changes saved us on a few occasions
Dave B..
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tue, Apr 7, 2020 11:58 am
Subject: 1.9 to 2.3 was: looking for a project?
Hi Toney and others,
A timely topic for me. Dennis is starting a 1.9 to 2.3 upgrade on my van.
I think anyone taking on this upgrade needs to make individual choices and there is more than one correct answer.
Your stills, cost, and availability of support people are all things I considered.
I have some skills, I’m good at maintenance. I was able to replace the shocks. And even put in a replacement rear wiper motor. I replaced slider hinge
And sink parts and so on.
But, rebuilding an engine is not something I can do alone or ask my local friends to do.
Dennis did some work on my van and was as precise and detailed as I would do myself. Actually more so as he has better availability to the correct supplies and equipment. His experience adds another invaluable layer.
My goal is to have my tired 1.9 replaced with a more reliable 2.3. Reliability includes wiring and support systems.
Once the project is underway we could share updates if folks are interested.
My van is currently stock 1985 except for the upgrades Dennis did in the recent past. These upgrades were made knowing they would likely be used in the future to support another engine.
Updates done are engine oil cooler, transmission cooler, Stainless Exhaust.
In addition to engine upgrades I will be doing related upgrades to the van.
I wish I could do more of this myself but sometimes knowing my limitations is frustrating but helpful.
If folks want to know more about the plan or updates once we start let me know.
This van lets me keep living the dream.
Eric
> On Apr 6, 2020, at 9:13 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> That would be my suggestion. For the budget conscious the 1.9FI system supports the 2.1L with ease. The 2.2L not so much. As part of that upgrade the 1.9 has no provision for oil cooling and that can be problem as the main difference between the 19 and 2.1 is stroke. More heat, rod angle stresses, oil temperature control. I also push upgrading the complete cooling system to the 2.1L design. Increased tolerance to air in the system and self bleeding, better flow through the engine, both sides, heater supply from both heads, etc.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> From: T Collins [mailto:tonycollin@gmail.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 6, 2020 9:00 PM
> To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> Cc: vanagon <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
> Subject: Re: Looking for a project?
>
> So if one had a 1.9 and wanted to replace with one of the 2.3 the fuling system would also have to be upgraded?
>
> Thanks.
> T.
>
> On Mon, Apr 6, 2020 at 3:15 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com<mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote:
> I'm currently doing a 2.7L and also have experience with the 2.3, some past 100K. So here are some of my thoughts.
> The Waterboxer really is a "purpose built" engine. It is already designed at some limits and there are lessons learned from the air cooled engines. It is no mistake that this is short stroke, low compression engine designed to spin like mad but under minimal stress to get a job done while still using a minimalistic approach to emissions control, while still drinking a lot of fuel. Wow, I know a mouthful. But seriously this engine does a lot and properly set up and running as it should it can take being flogged all day. They really don’t wear out and most all failures are the result of a support system failure. That said to me anything that increases performance is going to create a compromise somewhere else. Longevity or economy or emissions, something.
>
> First off you need to look at the total cost of the upgrade and what do you really want to get out of it. These engines are pricey made worse by shipping and core charges. The 2.2 or 2.3 will run on the original 2.1L Digifant. However I strongly recommend the GW EFI upgrade. Even with the mild compression increase of the 2.3L you increase the chance of pre-ignition so you really want the knock sensor. 2.4 and larger and you also need to consider the increased cost of running premium fuel. While GW doesn't promote it any of these engines really need oil temperature monitoring and control. Especially for those that plan to use the increased power.
>
> The 2.3L I think is the value leader. The 2.2 is just the 96MM pistons. The 2.3L gets the counter weighted stroker crankshaft. This engine can also be put together yourself. Requires very little checking and clearanceing of the case. It also works well with stock gearing.
>
> For engine overhauling I think the one thing GW has is their pistons. While I hate the concept of turning cylinders I have done some top end overhauls using their 2.2 sets and have been quite pleased by the results. I hate the rattling sounds of those QSC cylinder sets and too many have come back with broken rings or oil consumption issues. GW has the piston to cylinder clearance right! So far their complete engines have been "0" issue installs for me.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com<mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>] On Behalf Of Dan N
> Sent: Monday, April 6, 2020 1:20 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: Re: Looking for a project?
>
> according few reports from others the 2.2 and 2.3 give decent HP and good reliability... I heard some problems on 2.4 and 2.5 nothing on 2.7 yet. If i pick one today it will be 2.3 but the 2.5 is tempting.
>
> On Mon, Apr 6, 2020 at 10:14 AM Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@gmail.com<mailto:ghourtouat@gmail.com>>
> wrote:
>
>> Of the WBX engines they have on offer (various displacement); which
>> would you pick, and why?
>>
>> On Thu, Apr 2, 2020 at 8:31 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net<mailto:ericcaron96@comcast.net>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Stuart,
>>>
>>> If I only had the skills that you and other’s have on this list!
>>>
>>> Also, I noticed that their program for doing assessments on van’s is
>>> also on sale.
>>>
>>> Not sure of the cost but it is available at at a $50.00 discount.
>>>
>>> Eric
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Apr 2, 2020, at 5:29 PM, Stuart MacMillan
>>>> <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM<mailto:stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Go Westy has engines and transmissions on sale:
>>>> https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2F
>>>> www.gowesty.com<https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gowesty.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cfe763495f4ea4303100408d7da8f0db1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637218180247328642&sdata=%2F2e0zy8oQRaWIBnzlMK5hikU6rSLGs%2FzCnq2xnKME0I%3D&reserved=0>%2Fsearch-results.php%3Fsearch_phrase%3Dmegasale&data=02%7C01%7C%7C65ba7800dc3e4c6c153e08d7da4ec948%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637217904238125013&sdata=NFS64zYRIJ2g4%2B0fYCGwX59UPsae1btyYBRnPl6KSwQ%3D&reserved=0
>>>
>>
