You need the heads redone by the drunken Hun.  It is unlikely, your long
block is old.  But it is most likely, your heads need attention.  Of course,
a leak down test would let you know for sure, which would be worth doing.
And that really would be cheap and the wise choice.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "BJ Feddish" <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 11:36 AM
Subject: New engine thoughts

> The engine in my 83.5 Westy is getting a little tired. It was rebuilt by a
> drunken Hungarian 8 years and 70K miles ago*.  I'm tossing lots of ideas
> around. First, to keep this van I also need to fix the rust and get it
> repainted. That's not out of the question. Here are some options:
>
> Rebuilt 1.9 from Boston Bob?
> Rebuilt 2.1 (is that better?)
> Subaru engine?
> Tiico engine?
> 911 Turbo (OK, just dreaming)
>
> It seems that the 1.9 replacement would be the least expensive and
> complicated. Would I be better of putting an 86 or later engine in for
> easier parts availability?  How about those that have the Subaru engine in
> there?  I really can't see spending $7000 on putting a used junkyard
> engine
> in there.  How about those Tiico's? They look pretty expensive and the
> parts
> are hard to find.  Are these alternatives really worth twice the price of
> a
> rebuild?  I've perused the archives and found lots of negatives about the
> Tiico's. I've also found people that said they spent $7K on a Subaru swap
> and regret it.  I've also run into people that said they found a $300
> Legacy
> engine and put it in for $1200.
>
> Maybe it's time to get an '89 or later that's clean or am I just swapping
> old problems for new ones.
>
> Thoughts, ideas, etc. Let me know what you have done and if you are happy
> with your decision.  You can just email me personally. I know this topic
> get's beaten to death all the time but I'm quick with the delete key for
> topics that don't interest me at the time. :)
>
> Thanks,
> Bryan
>
> * My original VW mechanic was outstanding for years until he got old,
> divorced, etc. and was drunk 100% of the time during his final years at
> the
> shop. He was gone so often he used to let me bring the van in and use his
> lift and his tools when he was out for the day. I'd be the only person
> there
> and people would come into the shop and I'd be covered with grease and
> they'd start telling me their car problems.  Though I had the urge to
> install a new Langstrom 7 inch Flux Capacitor muffler bearing for $500 I
> ended up telling them I was not a real mechanic. But that's another
> story...
>
>
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>