shopping around for a mechanic you can trust, who is capable and
honest, for a possible transmission replacement after 26,000 miles, due to
unseemly growlies at odd times, stopped off at valley wagon works in san
rafael (ca) this afternoon. an extremely bright, perceptive young fellow
drove it around the block a couple of times and pronounced that those little
growlies were the sounds of wear and were normal for that amount of mileage,
which, actually, isn't a great deal for an '82 westy transaxle (rebuilt).
       this assessment was received was some relief, walletwise.
       just the day before, an older mechanic in s.f., who shall remain
nameless but has a german accent, looked it over and pronounced that about
$2,000 ought the fix the problem good and proper. i am sure he is right.
$2,000 can fix a lot of problems, many categories.
       it is a slippery slope which we all live day-to-day. i am thankful
for bright, perceptive young guys at valley wagon works, which, by the way,
had about five good looking westies on racks and otherwise in the process of
being groomed for better tomorrows. mine will soon join them.
       cheers, art, '82 westy, san fran