In general, I agree with this report and I think, if it was a little more
powerful and a little more quieter, and if the heater would work better,
more guys would stay with those engines.
I have not heard yet, that one converted a water cooled one to an air cooled
VW engine.  I seen a Porsche six cylinder conversion though.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Rouby" <mikerouby@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2007 9:55 AM
Subject: Re: In praise of aircooled vanagons

>I can't say enough about how reliable my 1982 (Count 'em - 25 years old on
>it's original engine - which is proof positive) my aircooled Westy is.
>
> When my engine does eventually expire, I hope to put another 25 more years
> or so on it's replacement.
>
> To date I have had:
>
> * no expensive head seals go due to coolant issues
> * never had to stop due to overheating even with my A/C on
> * no head bolts eaten away by coolant
> * never had to flush my antifreeze
> * never had to worry which type of coolant is needed
> * never had to replace heater cores
> * never had to purge air from my cooling system
> * never had to replace the radiator or get it sent for cleaning
> * never had to change a water pump
> * no coolant hoses, clamps or pipes to replace
> * no expensive water-cooled engine conversions
> * to slow down below 70 mph so I don't get tickets :)
>
> Yes, there are issues with any engine design (even so-called bulletproof
> Audi 5cyls, Chrysler slant-sixes, Volvo 4cyls and Mercedes iron-headed
> Diesels) - no one can claim their engine design as flawless.  The VW
> aircooled engine is no 'Rolls Royce'
>
> But I can whole-heartly claim that I would rather drive cross-country in
> an aircooled vanagon than a waterboxer anyday.  It's just more reliable
> and while the watercooled models are faster, the aircooled speeds are good
> enough for me! :)
>
> Oh by the way, my other car is a 1966 Beetle :)
>
> Nathaniel Poole <myth.wright@GMAIL.COM> wrote: So we arrived home last
> night after a two week trip to southern California
> via the scenic route all along the coast until Big Sur (what's a Sur?)
> Across to Fresno  and back up again. Total over 3500 miles. The van ran
> without no more a hitch than the shift linkage needed adjusting on the way
> down. Balmy 73 degree weather and sun and the rattling purr of a sweet two
> litre behind us. I kept the head temps below 370, and only noticed the
> temp/power issue during hills with a strong headwind, and it really was
> more
> of an issue of maintaining temperature than powering out. I've sworn to
> never take it above 400. There were four adults in that van and while it
> felt a little crowded at times, we actually got a lot closer as a family.
> With kids on the verge of leaving home the gap just gets wider.
>
> This was our first "shakedown" camping trip with Marty the Zebra and I am
> amazed at  this rig. After all the stories I had read I was expecting the
> clouds of smoke or oil or death-knell rattle and bang. By the time we
> reached Monterey I gave up worrying and just enjoyed the trip. And who
> knew
> oranges grew on trees, anyway? So cool.
>
> To top it all off I came back with a rust-free 68 single cab in tow; I
> think
> that should keep me busy for a year.
>
> I don't get any better folks, really it don't.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
>
>
> --
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> 9:36 PM
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>