Instead of spending $6-$10k on an engine conversion, wouldn't it make
more sense to do the following?

1) Find someone who knows how to determine which head is the problem.
2) Replace the gaskets and if needed the head on that side.
3) Invest or pay off some bill with the $5K or so saved and use the
earnings next time a repair is needed.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Tom L. Salicos
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 1:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Suburo Conversions in Portland, Or???

Does anyone in PDX area do Subaru conversions?

With 45K miles on a "factory rebuild", my 2.1 WL is pushing exhaust gas
into the coolant.  Time to start thinking ahead.  My main mechanic (M&M
Automotive in Aloha) is going to do one in April.  He says he wants to
know why it has to be so expensive.  I too find $8K plus motor to be
pretty steep.  This kind of expense, right after a new F45 awning,
deluxe paint job and alloys is not real easy to ju$tify with the
controller, if you get my drift.

BTW, immense thanks to Bill Kasper and Peter of VolksCafe in Santa Cruz
for helping me understand and deal with the problem.  I had the great
fun of driving it back home over 700 miles, stopping to burp the
expansion tank every 30 or 100 miles, depending on driving conditions.

Tom Salicos
'87 Westy Syncro