Having just spent over $700 hundred dollars total to have head gaskets and
lifters replaced on an engine with less than 12 months and 1000 miles that was
rebuilt by a reputable Vanagon list mailorder rebuilder, I would not use any
mail order rebuilder.  When there are problems, they are very quick to point
fingers at the installer and will leave you with the labor repair bill or at the
very least sinking your own time into fixing them.
  If I had to do it over again, I would have a local shop (in the bay area I
can't say enough good things about the Volks Cafe in Santa Cruz) that has lots
of Vanagon experience (references are a must!) rebuild the engine you have.  Or,
if you want a nation wide guarantee, have the VW dealer install a factory
rebuilt engine.  That way if any things goes wrong you can bring it back to any
VW dealer.

Vince,
'85 Westy
_____________________________
On Fri, 7 Jan 2000, t obrien wrote:

> I was quoted $2995 w/exchange at least 6 weeks lead time by the VW dealer in
> Berkeley, CA. This was about a month ago.
>
>
> tim
>
>
> > > suggestions between the following mailorder rebuilders (good/bad) I
> >would
> > > appreciate it.
> > >
> > >         1). AVP
> > >         2). Boston Engine
> > >         3). Fast German Auto
> > >         4). Other...?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any help you can give.    > John   87 Vanagon
> >
> >John,
> >
> >If you can find a VW factory exchange motor, that's the way to go. The
> >problem is that when most VW dealer parts guys hear "Vanagon" they react
> >like Dracula does to a sunrise. I think the exchange motor NLA thing is
> >a myth generated by lazy, disinterested parts guys. I have two Vanagons
> >and both have factory exchange motors - one from Texas & one from NY
> >state. They both were about $2,000 each with a 12 month warranty.
> >
> >If you can't find a factory exchange, deal with Boston engine.......
> >
> >Regards,       JP
> >
>
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