Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2022 23:37:28 -0600
Reply-To: Gil Ngai <eyebawlgil@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gil Ngai <eyebawlgil@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: My Vanaru too!
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6mrHOgAWXieS8k=E1K31n4cD9oKPn1qUR8F=srcsP9HAg@mail.gmail.com>
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Hello John,
Your stamina, motivation, focus and zest for life is highly contagious. Thank you for the inspiration. I too just had a rebuilt 2003 2.5EJ installed but not by me. I am 53 and still have too much work at my job to tackle a project like this. My previously anemic 1985 GL now puts a huge smile on my face as it bolts off the line and passes others on the highway.
I did tackle the bodywork as my Covid project, sanding and grinding every night after work. I had to replace the entire drivers side rocker panel, below all the connections where no doubt decades of seepage had occurred. After all the sanding, finishing and priming, I had the paint and clear coat done by a pro shop for $5.5k CDN in a Ferrari red. It was an insane amount of work. But..
I am super happy with the results.
It gives me great pleasure to take the Westie out now. Life is short. And all our incomes are limited. I know how all of us love our vans. And many of you are waiting until you have enough time or $$ to upgrade/fix what you really want to do to it. But I encourage you to move it up on your list, even to the top of your list. Just look at how the pandemic messed with our lives. The world is rapidly changing. In 5 years life could be very different. So figure out what is really important to you and get started on doing it now.
Sorry I hope that doesn’t sound like a soapbox. I just want to share the joy I have with all of you.
Much blessings,
Gil Ngai
In Alberta
> On Mar 26, 2022, at 11:17 PM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi John...
> It's wonderful...
> I wish I have the $$ and the energy as you do...
> Best wishes to you... :-)
>
>> On Sat, Mar 26, 2022 at 9:08 PM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Well Gang, out with the old, in with the new. My '91 Carat now has the
>> virtually new ej2.5 engine installed, coupled to the stock Vanagon
>> automatic transmission. The engine came from a 2005 Outback. It had 150,000
>> miles on it and I decided to have it rebuilt so it would likely last as
>> long as I do - I'm 82 soon to be 83. But still able to get a wheel once in
>> a while - if there is enough gravel or sand on the road. Now I really spin
>> a wheel. This old van is a beast with that new engine. This project has
>> been 4 years in the making and saw a lot of hiccups but is finally done.
>> There is but a single item not finished and that is the AC hookup. Had to
>> have special hoses made to the right length. That job will probably be done
>> next week. When done, look out road, here I come. Got some traveling to do.
>>
>> While all this was going on the whole front end was rebuilt. New
>> power steering rack, all new bushings, bearings, rotors, wheel bearings,
>> brake pads. Even put Mercedes reusable locking wheel retaining devices on
>> the spindles. Great innovation. Beats the heck out of the mickey mouse
>> peening nuts VW uses. Not to say they are no good, but the Mercedes devices
>> are so much easier to work with. They are about $8 each and usable over and
>> over.
>>
>> And now for the body work. Electric door lock, electric windows, electric
>> hatch lock, all not working properly. Going to put on a different front
>> bumper. So I've got my work cut out for me.
>>
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