At 12:26 PM 05/11/2000 -0400, you wrote:
>How difficult is a clutch job on an 87 wety? I just finished head and
>exhaust replacement myself, and it went quite well.  Should I leave the
>clutch replacement for the professionals?

Doing the clutch job right is a bit less difficult than doing a head
replacement right. You need a good set of jack stands and a better than
Chinese floor jack to do it safely. Go for it. I strongly suggest that you
find the German assembled Ficktle & Sachs clutch parts. The Mexican
assembled Sachs/Wagner kits I have seen will not pass the scrutiny of an
experienced eyeball.

Scrutinize that cross shaft and bushings for wear. The throw out bearing
must be held dead on perpendicular to the drive axis to prevent premature
clutch failure. From what I have seen of the Mexican replacement x-shafts,
STAY AWAY. Not usable without reworking. Much better to have the original
German shaft reworked by a highly skilled machinist if a new German shaft
is, alas, NLA.

Can a local garage handle it, or
>should I take it to the dealer?

Always find a mechanic by word of mouth report. It's not fool proof, just
better than relying upon darts thrown at the biggest ads in the yellow
pages. Don't hire anyone who cannot or will not give references to repeat
Vanagon clients. Hopefully, listees can advise of good results provided by
someone in your vicinity. Otherwise, take the opportunity to chat up any
other Vanagon owners you spot at the local mall or grocery store. Know who
not to go to is everybit as important as finding competant services.

In ancient Greece there was a law. At the main arterial roads into town,
those with afflictions could go and sit, and all citizens who passed by and
had knowledge of possable cure were required to share their knowledge and
experiences with the afflicted. No one with knowledge of possable value was
allowed to withold it from those in need. Much of what we call common
courtesy in todays world can be traced to these ancient laws and
traditions. This list is a perfect example.

T.P. Stephens
San Juan Island, WA