Date:         Mon, 22 Sep 1997 22:54:41 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Williams <williams@MTEST.TERADYNE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Robert Williams <williams@MTEST.TERADYNE.COM>
Subject:      85 westi engine questions

Hi all,

  I find I need to ask for the list's wisdom again. I have an '85 Westy
with about 116K miles on the engine. I have the infamous leaking head
gaskets and my wife also noticed oil smoke in the exhaust. The smoke has
left a light oil deposit on the back of the van.

  My questions are:
 Should I have the head gaskets replaced or put in a rebuilt engine?
   (Could the oil burning be from the head gaskets or do I have 2
   seperate problems?)
 If I go the replacement engine route, how much trouble is it to switch
  to the '86 2.1L engine?
 (I believe this would require a switch from a digijet to a digifant.)
 How much would this cost?
 Has any list member done this switch?
 In the recent postings I have seen mention of using a Subaru engine instead.
   Is this tried and true, or experimental? What is the cost?

 Since I am in California's San Francisco bay area, what impact does
any of these options have on smog checks? Am I asking for a headache by
even thinking of changing the engine?

  Thanks in advance for any help or opionins.

Bob Williams
'85 Westy
San Jose, CA