Date:         Wed, 29 Dec 1999 08:33:41 -0800
Reply-To:     Ron Bloomquist <roadcow@MCN.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ron Bloomquist <roadcow@MCN.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Idaho Vanaru?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi,

I didn't say the Subaru conversion was the best; I'm just trying to find
someone in Idaho who has one.

But your are right.  It isn't easy to get garages/shops to look into a
problem when you have a converted bus.  I had my alternator go out on my
Toyota Corolla powered 1971 Westphalia when in Alaska.  I went to a Toyota
Dealership in Anchorage and they wouldn't touch it - too strange for them -
but they did charge up my battery so I could limp on to an automotive
electrical shop they recommended.  When I found the shop, in a Quonset hut,
Ernie was at first dubious.  I told him I would remove the alternator myself
and he could play like it just came out of a Toyota.  That worked.  Life
went on.

The trick is to know the engine very well and be able to do your own work or
find someone who is still interested in something interesting.  Sadly those
folks seem to be fewer and fewer.  I still remember when we hot rodded and
customized cars.  Now it seems bolting on a store bought spoiler or air dam
is the extent of customizing.

Am I just grumpy? or what!

Ron Bloomquist
ROADCOW
Vanaru