While some people had good service out of their aircooled Vanagon
engines lots of other did not. I know of people who bought them new and
swore to never buy another VW again.

Certainly they are simpler than waterboxer models.

Last year I bought a used aircooled engine and tranny from an owner who
had just completed a swap to a wateboxer 2.1. He is a younger German
fellow living just south of SF. He did a very nice job, using parts from
an 87 donor I think.

Mark

Zoltan wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>