anne, i went to m&m automotive out in aloha (about 10 miles west of
downtown portland on the tv highway).  excellent service, nick ellis and
son pat helped us with a used alternator after our original one
essentially gave up the ghost.  quoted me $50 to replace just the
brushes (incl. parts), which turned into a new voltage regulator, which
turned into that plus a good used alternator.  still charged me the
$50.  listmember tom salicos turned me on to them.

M & M Automotive Service, Inc.
21135 S.W. T.V. Hwy.
Aloha, OR  97006
local phone (503?) 642-1622

bill kasper

> -----Original Message-----
> From:   anne dollard [SMTP:ketchikanne@YAHOO.COM]
> Sent:   Sunday, June 02, 2002 7:09 PM
> To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:        I need a mechanic referral
>
> Hello. My 1986 Syncro Westfalia is currently in Portland, Oregon. I
> bought
> it up here in Alaska about 8 months ago. It's my second VW; and I must
> admit I did not check it out properly when I bought it. So at this time
> it
> needs complete mechanical restoration. EVERYTHING is going at once and I
> decided it should go no further then Portland and I left it there. At
> the
> very least I have a coolant leak(opinions have varied on whether it is a
> leaky gasket or cracked head), I need a new power steering pump, my
> exhaust
> system is shot, and I have developed a new rattle(gulp) in the
> shifter. I
> am afraid the transmission has issues. But the body and interior are
> great!
> I already have too much money into it and have decided to get it
> restored.
> My question to the list is this:
>
> I have located a VW mechanic in Sandy, Oregon(about 40 miles east of
> Portland and near where I am keeping it). His place is called Pat's
> Imports(although his name is Bob), he is way out in the country. He
> replaced the muffler for me and seemed very good about telling me
> anything
> else he noticed. He has been in the business since 1963. He seems pretty
> old but he has a younger helper. He is the first mechanic that
> reccommended
> rebuilding the engine himself instead of a new long block. He felt this
> was
> a better way and it is also less exspensive then what I have been told
> for
> the new long block. Since this is a huge committment once I decide who
> to
> go to; I was hoping someone out there knew of his shop and could lean me
> one way or another about it. Also any opinions about the rebuild vs
> replace
> the long block concept would be appreciated. I am not at all mechanical
> so
> please speak in simple terms for me.
>
> Thanks so much, sorry this is long.
>
> Anne
>
>
>
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