Hi guys,

I recently purchased an 88 waterboxer that had a lot of work done on it previously.  However, on my way across Tennessee during the holidays, it gradually lost power and when I got to my sister's home it was running on three cylinders.  I had the benefit of finding a great local guy by the name of Glenn Hines who came and towed my newest prize to his shop about 90 miles east of my sister's home.  I thought I had a head problem, but Glenn told me that the head looks great and he could see no damage to or near a piston, and that the pushrods were straight.  In fact, he told me the head looked almost new and that the rings had not even scored the top of the cylinder wall.

Question:  Could a collapsed lifter cause the severe power loss (when I remove the #4 plug wire the engine does not change at all) or is this something more serious?  Before Glenn removed the head I changed out the spark plug to no avail, and the oil light never came on.  Any ideas?  Otherwise this bus runs strong!

If I have to replace the engine, I think I'll go with AVP.  I purchased a 2.0 air-cooled engine from them in 1997 and it still runs great with well over 150,000 miles on it.  In fact, it barely uses oil and just about does not leak.  Of course, I have taken great care of it, seldom driving over 62 mph, changing the oil every 3,000 miles, etc.  I have talked to Erin at AVP and read recent postings regarding their abilities with waterboxer heads, etc., and so I'm thinking they're still one of the best rebuilders out there.  However, I would like to not purchase another engine, so help me out if you have any ideas.

Also, I've got to give props to the guys at the Volks Cafe and at Go-Westy and at OE-VeeDub.  I've recently ordered parts from all of these guys and I've been very pleased with their parts and service.

Thanks
Warren
88 Westy