Now that my Otter is about to get repaired and (hopefully) finally licenced
in BC, I'm thinking about future issues I may want to deal with. I've
checked out the archives with no success - maybe the wrong key word, who
knows? So please let know your experiences. It's an 82 Westy with a 1.8
litre 1987 Jetta engine transplant.

1.      Engine Noise - When I drove the van from Tacoma to Vancouver, BC,
the engine sounded great. Very smooth, no strange noises coming from
anywhere. BUT it was incredibly loud. If I'd had a passenger, it would have
been difficult to carry on a conversation. Not comfortable. My old 73 Westy
never sounded like this. The tach says no problems there. Are engine
compartments supposed to be sound-insulated? Has anyone done a
re-insulation? What is the preferred material, etc? Thnx.
2.      Side Step - Clearly, I'm too short (5'3") and my knee joints no
longer wish to flip my up into the van. So I want to get a long side step
for the passenger sice, and another step for the driver's side. Any
recommendations on step that will install easily on a van that are also
sturdy and affordable?

Glug-glug from rainy Vancouver,

Pat