Date: Mon, 23 May 2022 09:25:36 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Engine choices:was You Never Know: A Story
In-Reply-To: <1492653395.840836.1653269681074@mail.yahoo.com>
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After a tired Engine I chose to do a GW 2.3. Was it the best choice? No way to know yet.
The new to me 84 has a GW 2.3 and I have the records, 80,000 miles later it need a tune up and has a running issue that I expect will not be hard to resolve. Even as is we had a fun trip back from Florida.
That engine served the PO folks incredibly well. Their travel log is amazing.
If I were to do a different non original engine what would it be? Right now I’d choose a VW 1.8 new out of the box and installed with a kit from FAS or I could bring the van there.
But, with the 2.3 I’m very happy with power.and with new GW ignition I’ve removed most wiring issues.
Current issues are minor things like seeping rear heater valve and mystery ooze somewhere in the extensive cooling system. This is not do to the engine choice.
Friends are happy with their ford motors, others with diesel and others with Subaru.
All are machines that will have failures, all have some advantages.
I enjoy the talk but sometimes the dismissive tone toward the older engines strikes me as not correct.
There are advantages to the newer motors but when cared for well the water boxer is holding up just fine.
My tired 1.9 is now in a bay window with over 150,000 miles. It is proving a reliable and stable motor in that bus. It fits great and the owner knows how to maintain it. The price was low. Would a different engine be “better?” In some ways yes in some ways no. But every time he flies up Woodford Mountain in that 78 Bay going 55 with my old engine I’m impressed.
Did I retire that engine too early?
So, Lets enjoy all our different upgrades but, be nice to those running a Saturn motor in a Vanagon. Yes, there is one,Read about it on the sister email list.
Eric Caron
> On May 22, 2022, at 9:34 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
> John, you are like a cat with 9 lives! So glad you are enjoying your Subie conversion.
>
> Me too, but mine is only an EJ22 (135 HP) but now with 60K miles on a totally rebuilt motor. An impressive thing about the Subaru conversion is that you can delete many troublesome issues off your list. Like old crumbly ECU electronics and associated harness issues. No more funky distributor with Hall effect sensor issues. The worn carbon tracks on the MAF unit are also eliminated. Usually in a conversion, you also do new clutch, new SS pipes to new front radiator, new SS exhaust headers and cat and muffler. Tons of issues gone....for a long while. Better metallurgy all around, better tolerances too. And now we have modern oil to make things last.
>
>
> A tranny rebuild, a new starter with the TDI adapter, fresh CV Joints.....oh yeah!
>
>
> Oh....not to mention the extra HP and MPG. And the Subie electronics automatically "learn" about subtle changes in motor system as things wear and crud up a little and make adjustments to compensate. SMOG pass is a no-brainer; readings are always on the very low side. Easily pass, even in California. So...enjoy your new rig....but I recommend only using that extra power occasionally. It's fun though!!!
>
>
>
> On Sunday, May 22, 2022, 05:42:21 PM PDT, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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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