In a message dated 08/02/2004 4:28:48 PM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

<<<<Got under the '87 today and found a 10mm  Hex bolt  that I got off with an
Allen wrench.  Oil is now draining as is the  filter.

Is this an OEM plug?  It is absolutely the opposite of what  is in the
Manual.  I did not see a crush gasket, but have not had any  oil leaking in
that area in the past... >>>>

Pete, the 10 mm hex bolt you removed is not the  drain plug for the oil.  I
think you have removed the bolt that holds the  oil pick up screen in place
inside the crankcase.  There are only three 10  mm hex bolts on the bottom of the
waterboxer engine two of them are on the head  assemblies for draining
coolant and should not be visible unless the push rod  tube covers are not there.
The third one, left of centre, is the one  holding the oil pick up assembly and
oil will drain out if removed.  The  REAL oil drain plug is dead centre in a
recess with a 13 mm head with 14 mm  threads for a socket wrench.  This plug
should have a copper or aluminium  gasket.

Cheers,

Frank Condelli
Almonte,  Ontario, Canada
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 10 ~  13, 2004
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC  & CCVWC
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers
Frank Condelli &  Associates or http://frankcondelli.com