If this is an air cooled van, I would buy it for the top and interior. Then find a good water cooled or Syncro Vanagon and convert it to the Advenutre wagon. Most likely, the engine was siezed the last time it was used. Could be a difficult rebuild. These engine get warped cases, burned heads etc. Pushing the Adventurewagon top, long highway trips will always be filled with engine blowing fear.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: dan gordon <dangordon0128@HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 8:49 am
Subject: 83 Adventurewagen update and story

> I booght a very beautiful Adventurewagen on ebay about a month and
> a half ago for a cool $1600.  Too good a price.
>
> It lives in upstate NY and I live in Philadelphia.  The PO told me
> that while it had been sitting, with some fresh gas and a quick
> fluid check she'd make the trip back.  Those of you who suggested
> I take a HD wrecker were right on the money.
>
> Get this.. I get there and the van  is gorgeous.  Original KOA
> interior in near perfect condition. Original curtains, camping
> gear screens, everything.  I am very impressed.  I wanted to get
> some gas in her and start her up so I asked for the ignition key
> from the PO.  The gas tank had a locking cap.  After trying to
> open it with the only exsisting ignition key, I stopped and
> rethought what I what doing.  I didn't want half a key and no way
> to start it.  The PO suggested that he try so I could get
> everything ready to go.  He tries a little too hard and *snap* the
> key dies.  Now I have no way of knowing whether it will start or
> not... I have the van towed (because i'm an idiot) to a nearby
> respectable VW garage in the hope of the PO paying for a new
> ignition in the morning.  After three days (and having to drive
> all the way back to philly) I had not heard from the PO.  I did
> hear from my mechanic though.  Motor blown, all wheel had seized
> from rusted brake lines, huge rusted hole in the muffler.  Those
> are the things he had theheart to tell me.  I don't know that rest.
>
> A huge dispute with paypal, ebay, my credit card and the PO. I win
> with paypal and ebay... because non of these problems were
> revealed in the description. I get $175 dollars back when paypal
> clears the PO's account.  Bummer.
>
> So now, instead of being "stuck" with the van, I would like to
> change my attitude and be blessed with a near perfect van...  here
> are the things I would like to ask the group:
>
> 1. Can I really do the work to the engine of this van?  I am handy
> and have all my own tools already and can read pretty well.
> 2. What are my options as far as a motor goes.  Should I trade in
> my core and buy a new one, or should I try to rebuild her myself.
> 3. How do I get a high top van home 300miles from upstste NY.
> 4. How do I do all thins without selling my guinea pig into slavery.
>
> Thanks everybody for support throguh this... if you have any
> questions or help, please e-mail me
>
> dan
>