Had same issues moth balled my van for 2 years.  I really wanted to do
an engine conversion, but every time i saved enough money i would have
some life disaster that trumped the syncro.  So i finally got to the
point where i needed to do something.  This is what i did and it
solved all the weird running, idling, stalling, rough running,
funkyness my van had.  I pulled the o2 sensor out cleaned it and
replaced the wiring from it.  I also ran a ground strap from the body
to one of the bolts on the exhaust system to better ground the sensor.
  I also replaced my cat, because it was starting to break up.  I then
replaced all ground straps, cleaned the area around them on the
chassis, and replaced all the rusty bolts with new ones.  I also
opened up the afm and cleaned it out, i also pulled the idle
stabalizer and cleaned it out.  Hasn't run in 2 years, passed
emissions no problem and we just went from boulder to aspen up
independent pass, through buena vista and back to boulder with no
issues at all.  It was a pleasure to drive and i had forgotten how
much fun the westy is.  What i did didnt take much time, but it did
solve all the issues.  I hope my insight can help you get past your
problems.
Adrian

On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 8:32 AM, Joel Cort<joel_cort@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Finn,
>
> Check the ground wires as well.� Ground wires to the engine and to the O2 sensor.� If those wire are corroded from sitting around you will not have a good engine grounding and�that could also cause some performance issues.
>
> good luck,
> �Joel Cort
> Camping in�NY
>
>
> 89 Syncro Westy (CinnabarVan)
> 87 Syncro Transporter (Stella)
> 73 Westy Campmobile (agent orange)
>
>
> Founding Member of the Empire VW Camping Club
> &
> Westies at Watkins - www.westies-at-watkins.org
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Finn Runyon <finn.runyon@VERIZON.NET>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 8:42:16 PM
> Subject: Warm engine missing 87 Westy GL
>
> Hey Everyone,
>
> I have been off the list for a while as my 87 has been moth balled since
> last simmer, thank you in advance!� I have had much assistance over the
> years!� At the end of the summer last year after a 1200 mile trip my engine
> started acting up.� It starts well and warms up smoothly.� As soon as it
> gets warm, simply at idle it starts running really rough as if it is running
> on only 2 or 3 cylinders.� Also black smoke from the exhaust.� It I try to
> drive, or rev the engine, it will accelerate very poorly, missing terribly.
> I have been searching the archives to no avail.� Can anyone offer an idea at
> to what is going on?
>
> Thanks,� Finn Runyon
>
>
>
>
>