---- Mark Dearing <VWBrain@AOL.COM> wrote:
> In a message dated 1/29/2011 10:40:34 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> fonman4277@COMCAST.NET writes:
>
> I am one  of seven siblings
>
>
> hey david  I am also 0ne of seven.  my father flew P38s during  WW2  ,
> became chief of construction on the N&W railway , got into VW  buses cause it
> was the only thing that could carry all of the family.  he  is the only person
> I know that has flipped 2 buses. Course we had to learn how  to fix them, I
> rebuilt my first engine at 14 , was driving them even earlier  around the
> neighborhood and woods. Unlike jeff I really miss my father, he would  love
> my vanagon westy. later  mark d

Well, unlike most on this list, I am not deep into mechanics, but the basics were required when we were kids, and I required them of my daughter.  but I go to a pro for anything beyond basics.  I do carry a tool kit with me, and by having the camper in tip top shape on departure for a trip, I can keep it going and usually get out of a jam (haven't really had much in the way of a jam, just some concerns that have never gotten me stuck somewhere for long).  But getting into transmissions and engine innards, or even r&r major parts, I generally don't do it.  When I needed a radiator, I had it done at a shop.  I'll be adding an external oil cooler from "ten cent life before summer," and I don't know right now whether I'll do it myself or hire it out.  I do have a great guy who doesn't mind that I do a few things myself who does my heavy stuff.  He will even advise me on things I do myself.

mcneely