In a message dated 7/21/00 12:02:18 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
ldhamm@xmission.com writes:

<< t's funny how the only thing Subie detractors can find wrong with the
engine is
 the oilpan. That little shortcoming is being addressed, and even if it
wasn't,
 I'd prefer replacing the pan on rare occasions to replacing valveguides every
 40k!! >>

Larry,

It is even more amazing how people can cut and past and come up with an
argument that is totally out of context. The 40K valve job is for AIR-COOLED
T1 engines not a water boxer. I would never consider putting an air cooled T1
into a Vanagon.

As for other points against the Subie. I can buy the parts to rebuild my
water boxer for half of the outlay of the total Subie conversion. I can
remove, rebuild and install the water boxer is less time that it would take
to do the wiring alone. My Syncro will also retain it's resale value which
would go into the toilet if I did an engine change. At the rate I put mileage
on the van it will take me 10 years to wear out a rebuilt engine.

John Wessels