Idunno..I kinda like my Zetec conversion..something to consider as an
alternative...Sooo much less worry with the simpler modern setup vs the
WBXer.
Daryl of AA Transaxle
(425) 788-4070
aatransaxle.com
86 Syncro Westy
Zetec in the trunk
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 10:28 PM
Subject: Re: 2.2 Rebuild Questions

> Now might be a good time to take a really hard look at an engine upgrade
> to a Subaru engine. The Japanese took the basic boxer engine to a new
> level and they represent much much newer technology. As such, they will
> perform better, longer, and get better gas mileage. Just something to
> consider.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Greg Baxter wrote:
>> Hi Everyone!
>>
>> I've been lurking here for a few months now, since purchasing my 87
>> Syncro Westy in August this summer. I've spent the past month doing
>> searches and taking notes, mostly The Samba, Shoptalk and here on the
>> list - just ask my wife how much time I've spent doing the searches...
>>
>> We took him (Bastian) on a couple of road trips this summer, down the
>> Oregon coast and through the interior of BC. On the last leg of the
>> trips, he was pushing exhaust gases into the coolant, suggesting (at the
>> least) that one of the green rings in the bottom of the cylinders was
>> shot. This only happens when 'compression braking' down long grades. I
>> can drive him on flat roads forever, though. Both heads are weeping a
>> little bit, and he marks his territory with a silver-dollar-sized oil
>> spot after every drive. Since being parked for a couple of weeks, the
>> oil spot hasn't grown much, so I guess it's being splashed around while
>> driving.
>>
>> Just after purchasing the van, I did the routine tune-up items - cap,
>> rotor, wires, plugs, filters, oil change, thermostat (replaced the
>> original from '87) burped the rad. I'm about 3 years away from being
>> able to use collector plates and saving a ton on insurance, so those are
>> a couple of reasons that I want to stay with a stock (ish) engine.
>>
>> I'm up in Canada, eh, and our dollar is on the decline against the US
>> buck, so for me, the option of buying an engine and having it shipped up
>> here gets difficult and expensive.
>>
>> I'll get some pics up soon, but for now - here are my plans and
>> questions. Please feel free to comment, question and respond as you like.
>>
>> My goal is a reliable, slightly-more-powerful-than stock,
>> emissions-passing engine that I won't have to worry about for the next
>> 20 years. Fuel economy is an issue, but not my top priority. I don't
>> mind using 90 or even 94 if the need be.
>>
>> My questions are - will this combination work, and what have I
>> forgotten. I'm trying to keep this whole endeavour under $3500 CDN -
>> today that's +/-$2950 to those of you in Obama-land.
>>
>> Here's the list:
>>
>>      GW 2.2l P&L Kit
>>      GW AMC heads - I want to get these ceramic coated - worthwhile?
>>      Scat 5.4 or 5.5 CrMo rods (I get that the small ends have to be
>> machined to 22mm, will I have to machine the pistons to get the 5.5s to
>> work?)  *Are the weight savings worth the extra $100 over machining my
>> stock rods?
>>      CB Performance 2252 Cam & Cam gear
>>      CBP Maxi I Oil pump
>>      Engine Gasket set
>>      Oil Pump cover nuts/gasket
>>      Oil Pressure Release Valve & Spring
>>      New Hyd lifters
>>      (CrMo Pushrods?)
>>      Clutch Kit - do I need to go heavy duty?
>>      Main Bearings
>>      Rod Bearings (do I need if I'm going with new rods?)
>>      Camshaft bearings (are these 'always replace'?)
>>      Blue coolant temp sensor (did the black one when I did the
>> thermostat)
>>      Oil Pressure switches
>>      O2 sensor
>>      Fuel lines
>>
>> What other machining will I need besides the crank? I like the idea of
>> sending the crank off to Mr. Stamkos, but in the interests of my budget,
>> can my local machine shop do the work?
>>
>> A little background about myself - I've been into watercooled VWs since
>> I bought my first Mk2 Jetta in 94. Since then, I've gone through an 82
>> Scirocco that I swapped a later engine into, and did a bunch of bolt-ons
>> to. My current car is a 90 Corrado (digi 1) that's turbocharged. My
>> mechanic did the wrenching on that project. Because of the Corrado, I
>> have a decent, basic understanding of Digifant, although I understand
>> that there are some differences between the Corrado & the Vanagon -
>> namely the knock sensor, and the availability of aftermarket tuning
>> options. I work at a greenhouse/nursery during my days (sorry, folks,
>> only legal plants grown there! Laughing ) and there's not much going on
>> there this time of year. My time evaporates quickly in February until
>> June, so I need to have the project finished by, let's say, Valentines
>> Day.
>>
>> What sort of special tools am I looking at? I've got the basics, a floor
>> jack, a clean, well-lit 2-car garage, (2/3 taken up by the Westy) but no
>> engine hoist, stand or workbench. I'll be able to work on it weekends
>> and evenings. I'll start the teardown next weekend but I'm waiting on
>> December 1 to order the GW parts in the hopes of a Christmas special.
>>
>> How am I doing so far, gang?
>>
>> Many thanks in advance!
>>
>>
>> Greg
>> '87 Syncro Westy 'Bastian'
>>
>>