Dan,
You may just for giggles change out the 4 rear rubber engine mounts. They
get mushy and tend to allow wind up on the drive line and clutch chatter.
More so when hot. I changed them on my 85 and it made a difference.

I dont think its too big of a job you support the engine and pull the cross
member.

Doug

----- Original Message -----
From: "-- Dan Roberts" <DanielCRoberts@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 10:58 AM
Subject: Will the clutch survive the trip on 89 Westy?

> I'm in Wisconsin and will be traveling to Portand, then to various parts
in
> the NW. My Westy (ENU) is running great despite 149,000 original miles.
The
> engine uses a little oil but I seem to have stabilized oil usage and,
again, it
> runs very well. No blue smoke, decent pickup, climbs hills without
complaint
> and has never broken down during its 11 months with me. However, the
clutch has
> been shuddering occassionally for about 6 months. It too is original. I
will
> eventually replace it but wonder if I can expect to make this next trip
(about
> 6,500 miles total) or might put the clutch out of commission and me
possibly
> in the middle of nowhere.
>
> Note that I have not had to double clutch and experience no loss of power
due
> to the clutch. So, am I reasonable safe for another 6,500 miles or should
I
> sell my soul and hire a clutch job? Doing it myself is probably out of the
> question until I have more experience.
>
> Your comments will, as always, be most helpful.
>
> Dan Roberts