Agreed, but I think you can still put a price on the time/aggravation.. you
certainly can of the opportunity cost of being down. So if we want for
simplicities sake, talk in the lowest common denominator, $$ is a good way
to go.

Oh also on the list of ecotec/zetec differences I forgot the whole timing
chain thing. The zetec is non-interference, IIRC the ecotec is an
interference engine, and GM has had problems with the chains failing early
at around 70k.

http://tinyurl.com/2cfump

The rest of the engine is great though, very good design. The zetec does not
suffer the timing breakage problem, and is additionally non-interference
show it isn't a show stopper if the belt does fail. The belt is
faster/cheaper to replace as well.

Jim Akiba

-----Original Message-----
From: Malcolm Stebbins [mailto:mwstebbins@YAHOO.COM]
Sent: 2007-06-22 1:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: New Engine Conversion

--- Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM> wrote:

> Total or System reliability(of which engine reliability is a component) is
> the #1 return on investment people are after. .......since the lack of
> reliability costs $$, slightly less power does not

"Lack of reliability" can cost MORE than $$s;  Ask anyone who has had to
explain to his/her spouse
& kids why the 2 week family vacation is REALLY BETTER parked here behind
Billy-Bob's Auto
Repair... 2,000 kms from home!! ......"We'll do Yellowstone Park next year
dear.....Really!"
 m

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