Date:         Tue, 6 Jul 1999 22:54:46 -0400
Reply-To:     Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Pain, with a silver lining

As many of you know, we are overhauling our Westfalia. The motor parts went
off to the machine shop a week or two ago, and will be complete in the next
few days. We bought a counter-weighted crank, larger oil pump,
oil-thermostat, a pair of auxiliary oil coolers, etc. etc.

The block measured in perfect alignment, the rods are being re-bushed, the
heads are being completely rebuilt (new seats, etc.), but we had hoped to
re-use the pistons and cylinders...a new set was not in the budget.

But today, I got a call from the machine shop. The word is, the cylinders
are toast. So initially, I was fretful, thinking about how we are working
to accrue the remainder of our down payment for a bigger home, and closing
is in 45 days. Ugh!!! More money flowing out...ugh.

But then it struck me. This is God, or nature or fate or (whatever you
fancy) telling me it is time to buy those Mark Stephens 96mm P/C I always
wanted...Yeah! So for less about $350 more, I jump up to a 2.14 liter,
top-notch horsepower (MSHP claims 25-30 additional, but that seems a little
bold to me) and a smooth clean motor to boot. Yipeee! Will keep you posted.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree