First thing is.you will learn to be a mechanic with a vanagon, and the
aircooled is a lot more user friendly than the water cooled.  I have both.
The FI system on the aircooled is easier ot diagnose, and you do not have
coolant related issues.  Your main issue is keeping oil and head temps down,
which can easily be done with proper tune ups and an auxillary oil cooler.

Adam P
81  Westy "The Brick "
70 Single Cab "Whitey"
74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
75 Campmobile "for sale'
Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
----- Original Message -----
From: "gordy jones" <westyutah@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 2:08 PM
Subject: 2 questions...(still looking for a westy)

> My first question is about air cooled vs water cooled. I am still on the
hunt for a westy and i have really appreciated all the advice I have
recieved so far. As for the air vs water, I have heard arguments in support
of each. Now as a non mechanic, i would like to know what I would be better
off buying. The main thing that I have heard about the water cooled is the
problem with the head gasket leak. Also, my budget will only allow me to buy
a westy between 1980 and maybe 1984 or 85. So even if I did get a water
cooled it would be an early one.
>
> My next question is another conversion question. I have decided not to
pursue the subaru conversion simply because I am not a mechanic. But there
is a 1983 westy that was a diesel and has been converted to a VW Golf
gasoline engine. it has about 60k on the golf engine. Any advice on whether
or not this might be a good buy? Thanks for all the help!
>
> ~Gordy
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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