On a Vanagon, a knowledgeable mechanic does not pull the engine to service the clutch. The tranny easily comes out the front and only minimal engine support is required. A straight clutch job should be 4-5 hours labor. Of course, once the tranny is out, flywheel machining, engine and tranny seals, main shaft, or operating shaft replacements will add to the cost, both parts and labor. Here in NY shop rates are pushing $90/hour plus taxes and things add up quickly. CV joints should also be addressed at this time.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: Jack Reed
Date: Friday, January 5, 2007 12:22 pm
Subject: 84 clutch, etal
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Howdy all,
>
> I've been away for a while since my ex took the van to IL and
> she's had some issues that I thought I'd put before the
> assembled wisdom. She's starting to have problems engaging the
> clutch so it sounds like it's time for a new one. Hydraulics
> have been looked at and appear fine.
>
> Having not thought about such issues for a while now I'm
> wondering if the quoted price of $750 to replace the clutch from
> a mechanic a couple of hours south of Chicago where she lives is
> in the ball park.
>
> The other question I have is what the van's worth in today's
> market and whether anyone has shipped their beast cross country
> and if so, what that runs. I'm thinking about taking it off her
> hands and shipping it back to Colorado where I can repair it
> once we dig out from the last few storms. The van's in good
> shape, $200k on the body, rebuilt motor has less than $100k on it.
>
> One last thing. I have a bunch of gasoline heater parts left
> over in my garage from our old 81 aircooled. Wondering whether
> there's a market for them anymore and if so, what they'd be worth.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Jack
>