Date: Sun, 22 May 2022 19:44:20 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: You Never Know: A Story
In-Reply-To: <610473045.1145602.1653260777477@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Yep, Stephen. I'll be 83 in October.
i thought it would be fun to retrace my history.
Two car wrecks, one bad barracuda encounter when diving, one engine nearly
coming off in flight over the Brooks Range in Alaska, loss of flutter
dampening aileron counter weights in turbulence over the Brooks Range -
should have crashed but miraculously didn't, uncontrolled upside down
outside loop while moose hunting on the Yukon River - scared me so bad I
pulled a cone in the pilot seat they couldn't repair - had to change out
the seat. Got struck by lightening while making pots on my potters wheel.
In 2014, had a stroke that paralyzed me completely from head to toe on the
right side. Got it all back but for a slight limp in right leg. January
2020, broke three ribs, collapsed a lung, had what's called a bi-lateral
decompressive laminectomy - that was fun. In November I broke my left hip,
from which I'm still recovering. The doc's put me back together with screws
and some bone cement. Sure glad I didn't have to have a hip replacement.
I'm going to have fun at the DMV when I renew my drivers license. Gonna
make all the alarms go off.
That's where I am now. And I'm sure as heck not going to ask what's next. I
can walk, albeit with a cane or rollator, both of which I keep in my van at
all times, along with some other strategic "old man" equipment. Although
getting in and out of the van is a project these days, I can do it. And do
it I will as long as I can drive my van. I love going places in that thing.
There is nothing else out there like it. And one particular joy? Passing
traffic struggling going up hill on the steepest hill in Birmingham!
On Sun, May 22, 2022 at 6:08 PM Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Way to go! If I recall correctly, you began that project when you were
> older than I am now (71). This gives me hope that I'll be able to complete
> a few more projects in the time I have left.
>
> Stephen
>
> On Sunday, May 22, 2022, 06:33:27 PM EDT, John Rodgers <
> jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Four years ago, the engine failed in my 1988 Vanagon GL. I said "Last time,
> Brother. The third time's the charm!" This was the third engine rebuild I
> had been through over the years and I was done. I searched around for a
> suitable alternative for the deceased WBX, and determined the nearest
> look-a-like with promise was the Subaru ej2.5. Modern technology, modern
> metallurgy, pretty good performance history, engines readily available. So
> I went for it. Little did I know what a can of worms I opened with that
> decision.
>
> I found a wrecked 2005 Subaru Outback(A tree fell on it in a storm). Felt
> like I got a good deal. Then I learned that was a transition year. Subaru
> had things in it from earlier years, and things introduced latter, and that
> made sorry choice for conversion. Things didn't match well in the
> computer/IGNITION PART. Lots of headaches. Money was slow, so progress was
> slow. Then my friend who was a skilled mechanic who was going to help with
> this, broke out with wifey trouble all over and had to find another place
> to live, thereby losing his place for my project.
>
> About this time a 1991 Carat came up for sale. The engine from my GL was
> gone, my mechanic was gone, I had fallen and had gotten three broken ribs
> and a collapsed lung out of the deal and didn't know how the heck I was
> going to get that engine in my van.
>
> I went and talked with my neighbor, Matt Yester, on this list, who had much
> experience on these conversions. We worked a deal. He would do a
> turnkey job for me in exchange for my old van and the engine from the
> Carat. And he would completely rebuild the front end of the Carat for labor
> if I provided parts. A deal was struck.I had all brand new front end parts
> and other stuff I had gotten from Uncle Joel (remember him?) when he left
> this list group.
>
> A few weeks ago Matt came and got me and handed me the van keys. Conversion
> done, using SmallCar as the basic conversion. That engine performs
> beautifully. Going from 90 hp to 165 hp in a Vanagon is to really kick
> butt! The engine was completely gone through with a valve job complete, all
> new bearings throughout, as well as new rings. This coupled to the Vanagon
> autotranny. What a performer.
>
> Thru this adventure other things came to light. I have had to replace the
> power window motors and regulators on both sides. Window operators cables
> had been cut. I discovered that only after removing the door panels to see
> what was wrong. Door locks didn't work. RepLaced.
>
> It's been an ongoing project. But fun.
>
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