Date:         Fri, 24 Apr 1998 00:23:51 -0400
Reply-To:     Patrick Dooley <pdooley@GTE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Patrick Dooley <pdooley@GTE.NET>
Subject:      Esslinger 2.3 endoftheroad
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

For those following the 2.3 thread, I will summarize.  I bought an engine
adapter kit from Esslinger Engineering to adapt 2.3 ford motor to vanagon
transmission.  Kit is ONLY available with 200mm flywheel, vanagon is 228mm.
Esslinger has not and can get not 228mm flywheels.  So, if you go this
route, plan on buying 200mm clutch parts.  I even called KEP to try getting
a 228 flywheel for the Esslinger plate.  Yeah, they can do it for 280 bux.
KEP also said the 2.3 motor is a bad choice for vanagons because the motors
are prone to vibrations which are amplified somewhat by the boxy nature of
the van.  This will be a daily driver, so the 2.3 is out.
But what if KEP just said that because they know Esslinger sells a 2.3 kit
for 200 less than theirs?  Maybe, but I doubt it.
The plan now is to use a Audi 2.0 4 cylinder in the brick.  Won't have as
much power, and CIS will be harder to rig than EFI, but these motors are
smooth and can be laid over for engine lid clearance.  They weigh less and
of course, appeal to the purist.  And I already have one.
Will keep updating as I slowly make progress.  Who knows, by next week I'll
of changed my mind again.:)

-PSD