Go to this site and read what Bob Donalds has to say about 2.1L WBX
engines and rods. Explains a lot.

http://www.bostonengine.com/

You might want to consider building an engine or having one built. If
you go to a 101.6 mm (4.0 inch)  cylinder barrel you can use small block
chevy pistons. By  having the crank reground you can use chevy small
block rods. The 2.1L WBX crank is hell-for-stout and you likely will
never have any trouble with it. The over all combination of piston, rod
and cranks would be a really strong system, not likely to ever fail like
your stock WBX.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GLDriver

Dustin Jones wrote:

>Hello Volks,
>
>I was on my way home this weekend from a great 4th of July weekend at
>Virgina Beach when the unthinkable happened. Boom, smoke, loss of power,
>antifreeze shooting out. I pull over on I-95 (it's about 3 a.m. on Sun morn)
>and there is a hole in the engine block. I threw a rod, big time. What could
>cause this? I paid 500 bucks to get me and the dead 91 Vanagon Carat towed
>home to Harrisburg PA. What a disaster, sigh. Now I am debating whether to
>part the Van out, or save up money and put a Boston Bob engine in her. Any
>suggestions on what to do? Thanks.
>
>
>Vanagonless in Harrisbug PA
>
>Dustin
>
>feel free to pmail me jones5@epix.net
>
>
>