Date:         Tue, 19 Aug 97 13:00:14 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         bachmanb@smtpgw1.plk.af.mil
Subject:      Re: Starter


     Tom said (in part):
     
          The starter on my '81 has a seperate solenoid. 
     
     Not to pick a nit, but I'm gonna assume that "separate" means that you 
     have to buy two distinct parts which do not have a mechanical 
     connection to have a complete starter replacement.  Or, was the 
     "other" piece likely a "post-manufacture" Ford-type solenoid installed 
     and used as a starter relay to reduce the distance the electricity had 
     to travel to get from the battery to the starter (an old "fix" that 
     dates back to 36hp days)?
     
     Apologies for possibly being obtuse, but what the average VW nut 
     usually calls a "solenoid" is the lesser of the two cylindrical 
     objects which make up a complete starter assembly.
     
     'Course, I'm willing to admit (without being browbeat) that your '81 
     may indeed have some configuration that I have not seen.  I'm old, but 
     I haven't experienced everything (yet)!
     
     -Blaine