I don't think VW ever envisioned these vans ever lasting this long and
being used as daily drivers - or that anyone would really want to keep
one operational forever. But since that has turned out to be the case -
it is inevitable that parts begin to fail from aging processes or use
eventually. So repairs become a necessity, and repairs with updated
parts certainly makes good sense. There are certain components that I
have replaced to pre-empt disaster -s such as 20 year old fuel hoses,
plastic firewall fuel hose fittings, plastic coolant distributors, etc.
I don't want to get stuck on the Dalton Highway to the North Slope of
Alaska  some where because some old part decided now is the time to
fail. I definitely believe in being pro-active about maintenance on our
fine steeds. We know these problems exist - head parts failure off at
the gap - replace them before it is too late and you are stranded
somewhere under the dark of the moon.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Dave Mcneely wrote:
> Ok, the stainless steel manifold is superior to the original plastic.
> But, how many of the plastic coolant fittings on our vehicles can we
> replace with stainless, before we have to take out a loan?  Vanagons
> have what seems like miles of coolant hose, with a plastic fitting at
> every connection.  Dave Mc
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 1:09 PM , Jeff Lincoln wrote:
>
>> John,
>>
>> Thanks I appreciate the kind words. I'm certain that somehow Grover
>> will
>> "live" again. The worst part so far is that he is my daily driver.
>> Luckily
>> Tim is a good friend with the loan of the '85.
>>
>> That is good to know about the Van-cafe part. I will certainly go that
>> route. Now that i know it exists I'll never have that @$*&!%* plastic
>> stock
>> peice on there again! As far as I'm concerned it can go the way of the
>> plastic firewall fuel fiting - I threw that in the trash as well!
>>
>> --
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jeff
>> '90 Carat (Grover)
>> '86 (We call this one Parts)
>> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>
>