Date:         Tue, 28 Dec 1999 06:59:25 EST
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Benjamin Tan <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Reversibility, was REAR DISCS
Comments: To: rfeussner@gmx.de
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hey Raimund,

I agree. Once had a split Crewcab which I converted to Corvair flat-6 power.
Changed taillights to late style plus countless (unpopular) other body mods.
I was modifying to satisfy myself, not future buyers. Well, I'm wiser now. We
all sell our vehicles eventually. This was around 1978. When I sold the
vehicle in 1985, I could not even find anyone interested in buying the
vehicle until I removed the engine.

I was actually able to sell the vehicle for more without the engine!

Re. the Vanagon disc: I was inspecting some of my available parts tonight
(morning now). I have a couple of sets of GTI/GLI rear disc brakes. I think
these calipers may work. They have a very narrow slot for the rotor but
appear to be easily clearanced. I checked Porsche 914 calipers and decided
that they did not appear strong enough for the Vanagon. I also have Mercedes,
911, & BMW rear disc brakes on hand but decided that drum-style parking
brakes would be more complicated to adapt. GTI/GLI calipers have built-in
parking brake levers.

Also decided that I will try to install the calipers with brackets to be
bolted behind the bearing housing mounting points. This decision is far from
final. I'm in the experimental stage.

Considered using front brake calipers since I have several different systems
on hand. However, doing this would necessitate a separate (spot-on non-stock)
parking brakes. This would add to cost and increase the complication of the
conversion. Not what I want.

That's it for now. I'll report as I make progress.

BenT
San Francisco