The Boston Bob Big Valve engine went in late Friday afternoon and 
after spending the better part of the day, Saturday, getting everything 
hooked up it was ready for the first start-up Saturday afternoon.  Well, 
after cranking for a few minuets with the coil disconnected to build up oil 
pressure, she fired up first try !  WAHOO !  Sure was a treat to hear that 
engine come to life so easily.  Very, very noisy for the first 15 minutes or 
so until the lifters got pumped up.  Got the timing set, then started to fool 
around with the CO and idle adjustment using Ken Lewis' Oxy sensor monitor.  
Initially got it dialled in so the idle was pretty stable and a good half 
hour was up already and nearing the end of the day for me. So shut down and 
go and have diner and contemplate the moves for Sunday.  Drain the oil and in 
goes a fresh batch of 10w/30, start-up and run, check for leaks, none found 
and get ready for a little test ride up to Canadian Tire for some stuff.  
Pretty neat going for that first ride.  Engine is smooth as silk and trying 
to keep in under 55 mph was hard.  After coming back home and draining the 
water from the cooling system and refilling with fresh Prestone and checking 
all the exhaust connections one more time the Rita and I went for a short 
tour to the car wash in Kanata.  Ended up putting the first 100 km on it and 
it's running great.  More break in time this week then I'm off to Algonquin 
Park camping next week end with a few other Westy buddies from the Ottawa 
area.  Maiden Voyage !  Gotta remember to keep a light right foot !
       I will be posting a list of all parts & work done with costs involved 
for this project to my website soon for those of you contemplating such a 
project.  Stay tuned.

Cheers��

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm">BusFusion</A> a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 12 ~ 15, 2003
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: <A HREF="http://www.vanagon.com/">Vanagon List</A>, <A HREF="http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/">LiMBO</A>, <A HREF="http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/">IWCCC</A> & Capital City VW Club 
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers</A> �
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank Condelli & Associates</A> or http://frankcondelli.com