Warren,
I've driven a lot in Montreal with subaru vanagons in cold winters.  It
heats the interior just as well as a WBX engine and the subaru engine holds
perfectly stable temperature.  There are no cooling system issues with
subaru conversions if the cooling system is set up properly.

-Hans
East Coast Vanagon
http://www.vanaru.com
Turnkey Subaru Engine Conversions

----- Original Message -----
From: "Warren Lail" <vw.bus@MAC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 11:58 AM
Subject: air-cooled vanagons are cool

> My first Vanagon was an 81 air-cooled model that I drove for 12 years.
> During that time I replaced a head (dropped valve seat) and eventually
> installed an AVP rebuilt longblock.  Other than the lack of heat, I never
> had a complaint about the air-cooled engine.  It had low power, but I was
> used to that because I had been driving VW buses since back in the day.
> In fact, compared to some of the buses I drove in earlier years it had
> lots of power!  I dealt with the poor heating for a long time, but as I
> got older and my road trips took me further north in the cool months, I
> decided that I needed heat.  So I opted for a waterbox, even though many
> people warned me against it.
>
> My first waterbox was "Long John" an 87 GL.  Of course I had heat to warm
> my feet, but also engine heat I couldn't get rid of, i.e., blew a head
> gasket within 6 months of ownership.  Then I got Billy Bones and toasted
> the first engine within 1500 miles of driving.  Again, heat was my enemy.
> I purchased an AVP longblock (paid extra for the good heads), changed all
> coolant lines, radiator, and everything else I could imagine, and never
> had an overheat problem again.
>
> Now I've installed a Subaru 2.2 engine that runs fine.  However, I've not
> been through a winter with it, but some people have heating problems with
> subie conversions when the weather gets really cold.  Go figure.  I'll
> guess I'll deal with that issue in the coming months.
>
> I guess the bottom line is this; other than cold feet in the wintertime,
> my 81 air-cooled  was the most reliable bus I've owned (although I did
> have a 65 splittie that never let me down either).  Air cooled engines are
> simple and durable.  If I had one today, I would simply install a 12,000
> BTU Suburban furnace and keep on truckin'.  In fact, the next bus I buy
> will be an early (68-71) air-cooled model for dinkin' around town.  I'll
> install a propane furnace under the rear seat and enjoy the ride.
>
> Warren L.
> 88 Westy "Billy Bones"
> contemplating a Suburban furnace for winter camping
>