Bryan and list,

Sounds like a reasonable explanation to me.  But to me, ANY motor with 98k
on it that i have not maintained myself is a rebuild candidate, and i figure
that into my bidding/pricing.  That is 2/3 of the life of one of these
motors any way that you slice it.  I get people all the time calling me to
look at their vanagon they just bought............recently a fellow paid
around $7k for a late model westy with $180k on it...............he brings
it by, and the motor is just trash.  He called me before he bought it, and i
offered to inspect it for him for a nominal fee..................he opted to
go with his gut, and now he needs a rebuild when he only has had the car a
few months.  His wife is on his back, and he his down on the car...not sure
what to do..............He asked me what I would have paid for the car in
this condition, and i told him $2k tops..............he says "really?" and i
said "Yup.  Too many of them out there with bad motors.  Bide your time, one
shows up, you buy it cheap enough, put in a new Boston Engine big valve
motor, and you are set for a long time..do all the hoses, clean the
radiator, and all you have to worry about is the brakes and suspension
stuff.  Piece of cake"  You would have between $7 and 8 k in it, and can go
to Alaska if you want."

Most of the folks on this list, i would think, are in the same boat.   me
too!  I bought the first camper I saw when i wanted one, paid too much for
it, have too much in it, but still love it...............

Adam P
Charleston,SC     Coburn, WV
81  Westy "The Brick "
70 Single Cab "Whitey"
74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
1976 Transporter (New CA bus)
1974 412 "Goldmember"
Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryan Jones" <ALOHADREAM@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 10:06 AM
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] F.S.1991 Immaculate Westfalia Vanagon-Response from
owner...

> Hey Bob,
>
> I own this Westy that you were so quick to be negative on. The reason it
got
> a new motor is during a long road trip something (probably a rock) pierced
> the
> oil filter and the motor was replaced by the previous owner with a motor
from
> ATK engines (www.atkengines.com). He said the original motor was in
perfect
> condition up until this happened. I have now owned the van for 3 years
> putting
> about 3000 miles on it.(That should have been 9000 miles)
>
> Maybe you should have contacted me before making the snide remark on the
> Vanagon newsgroup.
>
> And yes, the van is immaculate.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Bryan Jones
>
> Why did the engine last only 98K? If that part was so badly cared for, how
> is it the rest is so "pristine and emaculate"?
>
>
>
> Bob Stevens
>