Hi Jim,

  Before you look at putting in and old tired Subi 2.2, or a leaky head prone 2.5 check out the Zetec option at: http://www.bostig.com/ . If you want to stay with a gaser then it should be Zetec or a SVX, IMHO.

  Cheers,
  Dave, 87 Syncro Westy Zetec

jimcraig <jimcraig@QWEST.NET> wrote:
  My trusty and perfectly running 90 Westy shocked me beyond all belief last
night as I was heading up to Snoqualmie pass for a little night skiing. The
power seemed a little low as I could barely keep it above 45mph up the last
steep pitch when suddenly the engine just shut down. A quick push of the
clutch and a coast to the side of the road, then that sick feeling in the
root of my stomach. It's over. Tried to crank, no way.

I had the heads replaced two years ago, but no rings. I did notice a little
bit of smoke from the tailpipe last week, but it didn't seem to cloud up
when I revved it, so I didn't think about it too much more. The van has
always run perfectly. Good power, always starts etc. About a month ago, a
woman ran a yield sign and I t-boned her, putting a few nice dents in the
front end and trashing the spendy fiberglass bumper cover. I haven't fixed
it yet, but can expect to get several thousand from the insurance.

Anyhow, I am now pondering what to do with this rig next. Do I find a used
one to throw in and move on? Do I rebuild this one (169k miles) since I
already have good heads? Buy a reman? Conversion? Sell the whole lot to a
handy person who could put humpty dumpty back together again with lots of
labor and find a new rig?

My family and kids love this van. I am committed to the Westy experience,
but am torn on what to do next. I have enough mechanical experience to fix
it myself, but not enough time to devote to the project, so I will end up
paying shop rates on labor.

Option 1. Find a decent used motor and have my mechanic install. Cost?
$2k?

Option 2. Have them tear apart the old and rebuild if the crank looks OK.
Cost: $??

Option 3. Reman longblock, $5k?

Option 4. Conversion. Suby, Tiico, TDI $7k?

My mechanic has done a few tiico's and won't do any more. Not worth it for
him and too many iffy parts that break later he said. Does any one know
someone who can handle a conversion in Seattle? I'd be interested in
learning more about the pros and cons from experienced installers. At this
point in my life, I value reliability. I don't need any more projects. I
don't mind brakes and maintenance, but can't devote full weekends to chasing
gremlins.

Does anyone in the Seattle area have a good used 2.1 that would get me back
on the road? I'm not in a big hurry since this is a third rig, but was
hoping to do some ski camping with the kids this spring.

Sorry for the long winded message, I appreciate any help and information you
can provide.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Jim

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