Over the long term I think this would be a mistake to get the Westy /
Subaru combination.  Only because you admit to not being mechanically
inclined - which is okay.  The Subaru engine is very reliable but you
need to know what you are doing for regular maintenance on the custom
bits.  A local mechanic would have to go through a unique learning
curve every time you need service - and this would be expensive.

Examples:
* timing belt replacement - needs mechanical aptitude (eg. the custom
cooling system may be in the way)
* custom cooling system - not easy to bleed the system, (eg.
thermostat sometimes needs a little wee hole drilled in it, the custom
heater lines may need TLC at some point)
* custom wiring - makes electrical / computer problems harder to
diagnose (eg. fuel pump and ignition relays are from Subaru,  there
are more use of shielded wires - which is voodoo to lots of people)
* custom exhaust system - may eventually wear out, custom hangers are
needed (muffler shop will make you bend over)
* custom air intake system - need to remember to buy certain air
filters

If you are not into mechanics so that you can take care of the above
yourself then I think the conversion would be painfull and costly in
the long run.

Laurence Smith
Hamilton, ON
90 Westy (fanumbos)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List
> [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of gordon jones
> Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 12:50 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Need advice with buying a westy. have a couple in
> mind (new to
> list)
>
>
> I am looking at one 1985 westy that has a 92 subaru legacy
> engine installed. I have heard good things and bad things
> about this conversion. The concern I have is simply that I
> am not mechanically inclined so for reapirs I don't know if
> a normal VW repair shop is going to have a problem with
> this. Would I be getting into a world of headaches?
>
>
> There is another one that was a diesel and was converted to
> a gas golf engine. Any advice would be much appreciated.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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