Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 14:45:17 -0700
Reply-To: Tom Young <young@SHERLOCK.SIMS.BERKELEY.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom Young <young@SHERLOCK.SIMS.BERKELEY.EDU>
Subject: FS:Vanagon air-cooled engine
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hi all:
I purchased this Vanagon engine, stamped with engine number CV001001,
from GEX International in October 1996 and installed it in my Vanagon.
First startup was 11/6/96. The engine was installed with all cooling tin
in place and with a working thermostat/flaps setup. I did the first
start up according to Tom Wilson: 20 minutes at 2,000 rpm, then an oil
and filter change. I continued the break in per the book for the next
300 miles - moderate acceleration and deceleration cycles - and again
changed the oil and filter. The next oil and filter change was at 1,000
miles, and then every 3,000 miles thereafter. At approximately 100 miles
from startup I had the timing and fuel mixture professionally checked and
I monitored both regularly thereafter.
The car is basically an "around town" and commute car and was never
subjected to long, heavily loaded runs or ever put in a situation of
overheating. Despite the generally poor reputation of GEX on the lists I
was convinced I had purchased a good engine, and even said as much in a
post to the Vanagon list. (Post dated May 12, 1999 titled "Re: Rebuilds,
was: Mechanic Horror Stories.")
Whatever gods extract their revenge for hubris stuck me on June 26th: on
a cool morning, about a mile from my home, the engine suddenly quit!
Subsequent teardown revealed that the head of the #1 exhaust had snapped
off, destroying the piston and head. The engine had 28,506 miles on it.
GEX, to their credit, took back the engine and repaired it as a goodwill
gesture. As I was rebuilding 2 Vanagon engines in any case, I installed
one of them in my Vanagon, and it's the repaired GEX engine - which I
received yesterday - that I'm selling.
The "no charge" invoice that accompanied the engine lists the following
items:
Part Order Shipped
Number Description Quantity Quantity
GL071198009 GSKT SET VAN 1 1
HE071371A/AX HEAD RBLT T2 2.0 2 2
PN02198075BR PSTN SET 94 OE 1 1
BR021198481A BR MAIN ST/ST 1 1
BR021198541 BR CAM ST 411 1 1
ME021109335C/T PUSH ROD TUBE 8 8
Given the parts list above and the fact that the case has been completely
repainted I'd say that they did a complete teardown and rebuild, BUT I
DON'T REPRESENT IT AS SUCH. I can tell you my history with the engine
and I can tell you what GEX (via their invoice) has said they've done to
the engine, but I make no guarantees or warrantees in any way, shape, or
form.
I'm selling this engine as a longblock, complete with flywheel. Since I
removed the flywheel before shipping the block to GEX the flywheel is
currently unattached. I could either attach the flywheel (and check
endplay for you) or you can do it yourself, as you prefer.
The engine is boxed and palletized and could be shipped, though I'd
prefer a SF Bay Area sale to someone who would come and get it at my
house. (The engine is easily lifted by 2 people and boxed and palletized
is 33" x 19" x 20".)
Selling price is $500, plus shipping.
I'll offer it to the lists for a couple of weeks, then put it on eBay
with a modest reserve. If you think the price is too high, wait a while
and you can steal it via eBay. If anybody wants to see the GEX invoice I
will email it to you.
Also, if this post sparks anther GEX flame session, I'd sure prefer it be
done NOT as a reply to my post.
Thanks.
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Tom Young young@sherlock.SIMS.Berkeley.EDU
Lafayette, CA 94549 '81 Vanagon
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