>Date:    Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:41:07 -0700
>From:    David Etter <detter@MAIL.AURACOM.COM>
>Subject: Re: Automatic Westy's vs Manual Westy's - two wheel
>
>I too have tried both and would have to agree that the automatic gave
>me no trouble whereas the standard is a constant worry. Not serious ,
>but small annoyances.
>
I have to say that I just don't understand this.  My '68 bus had 350K+
on it when I sold it, with no trans problems (many engines, yes, but not
trannies).  My '78 Westy had over 220K on it when it decided to play
'Johnny Flame' and burn down - still with the original problem-free
4speed.  My '86 Westy now has 225K on it with original trans without a
hitch.  Makes a little noise going into reverse, but that's been for the
last 100K or so.  I've been around a lot of busses and vanagons and,
outside of this list, have heard of very few problems with either manual
or auto.  People continually post about syncro ring 3-4 slider problems,
but I drove my '86 from the Oregon coast (highway 1) over the mountains
all the way to Portland with no clutch (got oil-soaked, swelled and
would no longer release), shifting by ear and using the starter to take
off in 1st.  That was 75K miles ago, and it's still purring along.
Seems rather robust to me.  <<Loud knocking on wood heard in the distance>>

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico