Mike, I have about 2 month's daily use now on my Boston Bob 1.9L rebuild.
Did it all myself as no shop here in Macon, GA, would touch a water-cooled.
Also replaced just about everything else that is involved with the engine at
the same time.

If you get engine from Bob, make sure that he knows you have auto Trans and
that he mounts the crankshaft pulley for you.

John Lauterbach
Macon, GA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike D." <md03@XOCHI.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 8:01 PM
Subject: Advice on rebuilt engine?

> My 85 Westy (auto trans, AC) has 150k miles on it.  Just had the oil
> changed and the mechanic said there was a lot of metal in it (both
> brass and aluminum).
>
> It also idles very poorly and has low oil pressure.  My mechanic
> thinks that the poor idle is caused by the low oil pressure (lifters
> not lifting?).   I just replaced the AFM, which didn't seem to help
> much.  One of the heads leaks coolant (slowly) to the outside.
>
> So I'm thinking it might be time to bite the bullet and get a new
> (rebuilt) engine.   Advice on this topic is appreciated:
>
> Question (1): If I decide to put another 1.9l in, I've found three
> places to buy:
>
>    $1750 at BusDepot
>    $2300 at BostonBob
>    $2990 at GoWesty
>
> That seems like a wide price range.   Anyone out there have
> experience with a rebuilt from any of these places?  Are there other
> suppliers recommended?
>
> Question (2): What would be a reasonable cost for a mechanic to do
> the engine swap?
>
> Thanks
> -mike