Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 07:34:35 -0400
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Re: question
Sean-
Welcome (almost) to the wonderful world of VW ownership. It sounds like you
have found a great van, with some relatively minor stuff to do (in the
grand scheme of things).
First off, it is a tribute to the owner if the motor is still running well
at 150k+. Shows good maintenance and driving. (or luck?). At 157k, the van
IS due for a rebuild. Far better to do this a as a "pre-emptive" strike,
than wait for a valve to drop and wreck the whole works. There are a lot of
different ways to approach the task.
If you have a little cash in the bank, and a great VW shop in the area, you
can have someone else do all the work ($2,000, but timeless questions about
whether they did EVERYTHING right). Or, you can save a bit or cash, and
heartache; pull the motor yourself, and swap it out with a great rebuilt
one (from AVP, MSHP, or such). Finally, if you are REALLY daring, you can
tackle the rebuild completely yourself. Ironically, I have found the cost
to be about the same for either of the latter; around $1,500-$1,800, all
things considered.
Considering the fact you are just learning about mechanics, I would
strongly urge you NOT to try to tackle it all. Buy a rebuilt motor, and be
content with the learning you receive by stripping and cleaning the fuel
injection, exhaust/EGR, ignition, and cooling systems. Leave the interior
of the motor until a time when you are a little more versed in technique &
tools.
Replacing the starter is a 20-minute job, and most any manual can walk you
through it. Wear goggles while under your bus.
Cheers,
G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree
-----Original Message-----
From: Sean Rohde [SMTP:srohde@UIUC.EDU]
Sent: Sunday, July 11, 1999 3:05 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: question
I've been shopping for a bus or vanagon for a while now and I think I
may have found one that I really like. I need some advice though. The
78 bus that I'm considering has 157K original miles. This does not
worry me because I know that they run for ever. What does worry me
however is that the engine has never been rebuilt. Most of the ones
that I have been looking at have rebuilt motors at about 175K to 200K.
Is this an indication that I might have to rebuild the engine soon?
Also I would have to replace the starter right away. I am fully aware,
and kind looking forward to it, that I will have to become quite
familiar with air cooled engines and how to work on them. I plan on
replacing the starter myself (the guy is going to throw in his how to
book). Is it expensive to do this? Is it a big job for a first time
mechanic? Is the part available uses or is new really the way to go.
Any help would be appreciated. I'm going to go look at the bus tomorrow
and I'm really interested in it because it is a westy that is in perfect
cosmetic condition which is a big plus especially for a '78.
Thanks
Sean
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