Date:         Thu, 16 Apr 1998 07:54:54 -0400
Reply-To:     Dave Mancuso <Mancuso@MTWP.K12.PA.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mancuso <Mancuso@MTWP.K12.PA.US>
Subject:      Summary: Best Replacement Vanagon Engine
Comments: To: Vanagon List <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hello All,

I put my '87 Westy in to VW for a new engine on Friday. Ron at Bus Depot
is shipping the engine straight to the dealer, who will hopefully have
the old engine stripped and ready to send back at the same time. I drove
the van 23 miles to the dealer, and wouldn't you know it did great? No
overheating or pressure buildup. Oh well.

So which engine did I get? AVP.

Most of the posts talked about AVP and Fast German Auto (FGA). Also
mentioned was Boston Engine, and the VW dealer engine (they come from
Canada, I think).

   --  AVP consistently got top posts, and in fact, I haven't heard
anything bad about them at all. I was very impressed with what I read.
There's a great post in the archives about a trip to their shop (I
searched for "AVP" I think).

   --  FGA has the lowest prices, and got also good reviews. I read one
post about excesive oil consumption (1 qt. per 1000 miles) but this
seemed to be an isolated incident.

   --  Boston Engines got good reviews too, but not as many as AVP. AVP
was definitely the king.

   --  VW is currently out of stock on their engines with no estimated
ship date, so my dealer recommended I get the 3rd party engine for them
to put in.

I ordered from Ron at Bus Depot, as I've worked with him before and he's
near me (60 miles away or so). He also got me a clutch kit @ 119.00
instead of $240.00 at the dealer.

Thanks to all of you for your help!
--Dave

AVP
http://www.sacbiz.com/avp/

Fast German Auto
http://fastgermanauto.com/

Boston Engine
http://www.bostonengine.com/