Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2023 22:56:18 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Vintage machines
In-Reply-To: <260468068.219130.1674357596696@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Richard,
I owned two Subaru’s in the late 90’s and early 2000. They were great all wheel drive cars. We called them the state bird of VT.
But, I got away from them because both my cars and my friends cars all had head gasket failures at or before 100K. I think they have solved that issue now, but it sort of disappointed me back then. I hope you have one of the later motors where that was addressed.
Conversions are great but they all come with issues. My friends with ford motors say they are best, but then later they describe issues. Friends with Jetta motors seem very happy, and If I was to do a conversion I would have leaned that way. The Subaru we borrowed was lovely. But, over all I love the sound and feel and magic of a close to original Vanagon.
It isn’t just about reliability for me it is the good energy from the VW community, the smiles from folks as we meet them and pass on the road. The reaction to the van from small children, and the fact that with a little direction I can fix or maintain more on the van then I could with other vehicles.
Each van has it’s own character enjoy it as long as it brings you joy.
But, eventually we will all likely need to find a care taker to take our place. Unless we choose to simply use up the vehicle.
Several of my older VW friends have discussed the concern of figuring out who to leave the van to. Sometimes the family just doesn’t include the right person.
Anyway, keep smiling and enjoying the best ride I know of.
We are very lucky folks to have one of these vans in our world, no matter what the current motor.
Frankly, my dream is to someday have a gas free power plant in one of my vans.
But for now I enjoy the care taking and the great support from all of you on this list.
Eric Caron
> On Jan 21, 2023, at 10:19 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
> And....did you ever hear the phrase CNC back in 1985? I didn't, and I was fully in the game. So...precision, metallurgy, electronics. Yes, these things all happened around then. It blossomed around 1990...I was there.
>
> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 06:28:07 PM PST, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
> Subie 2.2? Early nineties 2.2?
>
> 30 year old engine type. Not as great a following of the original vehicle it was fitted to compared to vanagon…
>
> 1992 legacy …. Thin on the road here :-)
>
>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 6:04 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>
>> About 15 years ago, water pump on my 1.9 failed. No problem. Install new waterpump. But a huge problem: during disassembly, cracked the thermostat housing. NLA. I drove all across county, and got a used one at VW junkyard. Mechanic smiled when he saw that.
>> I have noticed....GoWesty now provides same. Of course, it took a decade. So, my Vanagon sitting on lift for a decade awaiting part.
>> Meanwhile....Subie 2.2 motor transplant. Super HP and Smog pass no problem. Parts readily available anywhere in USA. I love it! Just saying.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 05:43:45 PM PST, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> Yes,
>>
>> This seems to be generally true for most car things. My Honda was needing parts and the cost and quality had the same issues.
>>
>> But, I’m pretty happy generally with most parts I am getting for my vanagon.
>>
>> And, fingers crossed one can be an optimist and a realist. That seems like a nice combination.
>>
>> Eric
>>
>>
>>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 8:35 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
>>>
>>> I think the bottom line is…
>>>
>>> It’s all going to be more expensive
>>>
>>> Not always as good
>>>
>>> And not everything
>>>
>>> :-)
>>>
>>> Ab
>>>
>>>>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 5:34 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The key word you suggested: maybe.
>>>>
>>>> You describe yourself as an optimist; I describe myself as a realist.
>>>>
>>>> I hope you are right.
>>>>
>>>>> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 05:28:52 PM PST, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Absolutely,
>>>>
>>>> Getting good parts is a challenge.
>>>>
>>>> My fingers are crossed that they will improve. Maybe more 3D printing out of metal for example. I’m a optimist.
>>>>
>>>> I’m often surprised by things like the return of items at venders like Uniwerks, or creative solutions like the Mullendore starter adaptor. Folks seem to be continuing to support our vans. Even metal evaporation tanks and now even replacement alternators and starters that folks report are good.
>>>>
>>>> Fingers crossed for good CV boots.
>>>>
>>>> Though. I may have a lead on some good ones. I’ll get back to everyone once I secure a set to check out.
>>>>
>>>> Eric
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 8:21 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> They made a WHOLE lot of aircooled Beetle engine stuff. All around the world. Vanagon stuff: Not so much, and in my locale in San Diego, resources are drying. I don't mean to be negative.
>>>>> But for sure...even with a skilled mechanic....if he can't get the part....you are in for a bad time. Just saying.
>>>>> I wish I could be more enthusiastic. But I'd be lying if I said otherwise; and I won't do that.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 05:12:05 PM PST, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes,
>>>>>
>>>>> No denying that the machines are getting older. But the drivers and mechanics? Some are getting younger. At the recent bus event. Most vans were older air cooled. But most of the drivers I met were fairly young. From 22 years old to 58. Many young families as well. Many venders were younger then I would have expected.
>>>>> I have heard many say the vans and fouls wanting them will fade away but I’m not so sure after seeing that gathering.
>>>>>
>>>>> Fingers crossed we keep a support network going.
>>>>>
>>>>> And, hopefully the young folks can afford the vans.
>>>>>
>>>>> Eric
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Jan 21, 2023, at 7:48 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We all know..this is the crux of it. Vintage Vanagons, vintage mechanics. Just the way it goes.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 04:37:24 PM PST, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It does and good man Dennis!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Things would be a heck of a lot tougher without list and guys like Dennis. Seriously , we are driving vintage machines ….
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Ab
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>
>
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