I'm posting for a guy from Montreal who is in need of some assistance / help
with a broken engine.... I'm going south in a few days (i hope!) so i could
bring some parts and maybe help him. (Even if I'm should be in
vacation????), anyway, if there is anyone in Virginia or around that could
help (location, place to work, tools...) that would be nice... i should be
leaving MTL Friday so i can be in VA the same night...

original message:
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Greetings and happy holidays!

  Thus far, this member's Holly days has not been happy. I left Montreal,
Quebec three days ago, bound for Tuscon, Arizona, in my 89 Syncro
camperwannabe. Seemingly out of the blue, i developed what i originally
thought to be a piston slapping noise, but shortly after, i lost my oil
pressure. With lights flashing and buzzer buzzing, i pulled over and
realized (through deductive logic) that at least one of the connecting rod
bearings were burned, hence the reason for my lost oil pressure. At this
point, i called my mechanic in Montreal, he advised me that i could drive
the car, not exceeding 2000rpm if i needed to move it. I needed to move it.
As i was driving, the engine quit altogether. I arranged to plateform my van
to a Wal-mart parking lot, from whence i am dictating this to a friend back
in Montreal so she can post it for me.

  I need to locate a good to very good used 2.1L engine somewhere 'cause i
think it will break me to buy a rebuilt short block and have it build up and
installed (though i am opened to suggestions in this regard). The best would
be to find a solution somewhere on the eastern seaboard; a reputable garage
to installe a used engine or a rebuilder who can install has well (if not
too expensive).

  Any input from any of you volks out there will be ever so appreciated. I'm
near Arlington, Va. PLEASE respond has soon has you can; i am living in the
van and this cannot go on for long.

  You can call me on my cell: 970-901-8251
  kinskysan@yahoo.com
  A HUGE thank you for your attention. Smooth sailing, Allone.

Cheers,
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I was not able to contact him but Karl did, here is the reply from Karl.
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I talked with Allone this evening, I've got a good low mileage running
engine here with drippy heads, but I'm heading out of town for a week on
Tuesday. Allone seems to know his way around doing gaskets, etc., he's
done them in the past, and it would be great to find him space to work
on this with help from someone experienced in Syncros/Vanagons. I can
work him in here at my shop when I return, but if someone out there
wants to dive in and help sooner that would be awesome too. He thinks he
may need an exhaust system, if anyone has any used good parts before we
order new, let us know. Thanks,

Karl Mullendore
Westy Ventures
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So anyway, let's see some westy or should i say holiday's spirit!!!!!

Regards, Ben
http://www.benplace.com/