> > You point out that the ABA has longer rods
 > which minimize vibration.
 > This> > > is
  > a good observation, the rod ratio of the ABA
  is
  around 1.7, vs. for
  > example
   the zetec which is 1.58.  The ABA is
  >theoretically less prone to
  > vibration,
   >but because it isn't balanced as precisely,
  >it
  >isn't.

  I can balance a stack of 12 full wine glasses
  on
  the hood..

  No I can't! I forgot , ther isn't a hood!

  Mine defies the statistics- there is no
  vibration
  that is noticeable.

  The Diesel engine mounts  were designed for
  vibration, and harmonic crank pulley  also
  helps
  lessen vibration.

  But I have nothing to complain about as far as
  vibration goes.

 Torque? Not a problem either. I've towed
 Vanagons
 thousands of miles.
 That is, with a towbar attached to the front of
 a
 Vanagon, I have towed it cross -state with my
 ABA
 powered Wesfalia.  Not at all like towing with
 a
 V-6 or 8, but do-able . Havcing the five-speed
 trans helps.

   I did'nt have the Zetec or Subaru choice or
  wasn't aware of it in 1995, but would'nt have
  done it either as mine was  VW Diesel
  originally.

 Zetec and Subie does make sense, mostly for
  practical reasons: The Diesel components are
  much
  less common.

  So I think they are great choices in some
 ways.

  I don't believe it's a matter of numbers.

  If I had been presented with more choices in
  1995
  besides VW inline fours, I would have chose
 the
  Rabbit engine anyway.

  I bought my Vanagon Diesel at a junkyard
  (Bry's)and they had boxes  full of inline
 fours
  for 400.00 each.

  For those with WBX or air-cooled, the Zetec
 and
  the Subie offer more convenience due to
  availabily.

  The inline may have gotten a bad rap from the
  Tiico which featured many inferior components.

  They have upggraded the hardware, I do not
 know
  as of lately if the other known problems have
  been solved.

  It's natural to think of using an engine made
  by
  the original vehicle manufacturer.

 We have changed the stats anyway by placing
 these
 engines in a Vanagon.

  Robert

  1982 Westfalia

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