Joe ..meant to add ..
'wait for an air-cooled' ...........???
waterboxers ain't perfect, that's for sure ..
but air-cooled..?
man.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Luther" <jluther@ALFONS-HAAR.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: Spare 2.1 engine - how big can I make it?

> Scott -
>
> Thanks for the info.  I read a lot about people adding WRX engines to
> Vanagons back when I looked at a wasserboxer some years back, I decided to
> wait on finding an air cooled.
>
> You are correct that it's the Phase 2 SOHC engine, to the best of my
> knowlwedge.  They used the Phase 1 DOHC in the 98 Forester only, if the
> web
> sources I've looked at are correct, and mine is a 99.
>
> The lady who owned the car took it in religiously to the dealer for the
> 30k
> major services so I was thinking (hoping) everything was done, including
> the
> valves.
>
> She had the HG's replaced about 30k ago as a preventative measure, she
> said.
> She had no reason to misrepresent anything, she traded the car in and I
> was
> getting it from the dealer.
>
> Mine may not be gacking HG's quite yet but I'm getting the smell and the
> coolant drop in the reservoir - no smoke, bubbling, pressurization, temp
> or
> idle fluctuations.
>
> It's probably a moot point, I'm selling it to a friend who works for a
> Subaru dealer as soon as he sells a cabrio and I'm getting a Jetta wagon
> with the 1.8T, hopefully.
>
> OT a bit here I guess, but I just wanted to share my experiences with the
> OP
> and be sure he looked into the HG and piston slap issues before going
> through the work of transplanting a certain engine into his Vanagon.  I
> can
> certainly see why people like Subarus, the AWD is great here in SW Ohio
> but
> I'm going back to what I know - VW's.
>
> Joe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans [mailto:scottdaniel@turbovans.com]
> Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 1:50 PM
> To: Joe Luther; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Re: Spare 2.1 engine - how big can I make it?
>
> Joe,
> not 'too vanagon' ...just 'subaruvanagon' ..but ..
> is it a DOHC 2.5 ..
> or is it a SOCH 2.5 ?
>
> the DOHC 2.5 does have 'more' of a head gasket issue than most subaru
> engines.
> And ..
> on used subaru engines with the typical 100+ K miles ..
> it's always better to replace the head gaksets...
> on all models of 1990 and later 4 and 6 cylinder engines ..
> up to the SVX anyway ..
> can't say about the 3.0 H6 in that regard..
> but 'it's not uncommon' for subaru engines to need new head gaksets.
>
> and on the DOHC 2.5 near as I can tell..
> their valve clearances are almost never checked until there's a problem ..
> they use shims and it's a tricky job to deal with them with the engine in
> a
> subaru car.
> I recently found 6 of 8 exhaust valve clearances tighter than spec.
> the valve clearnace shims btw..
> for a VW diesel they cost a buck or two..
> for the DOHC 2.5 ( commonly seen in 97 and 98 Outbacks ) they cost almost
> $
> 11 each !
>
> now that I think about it ..
> I suspect your engine is a SOCH 2.5.
> Many people don't realize those have adjustable rocker arm screws ..
> just like an old VW.
> they also have roller cam followers..
> which is what all more modern engines designed for oil with less zinc in
> it
> ( which is almost all car oils now )  have .
> Done well, the subauru engine option is very, very rewarding in a vanagon.
> it's 'more' of everything ..
> more power, more throttle response, another 1,000 rpm to play with, better
> fuel economy.
> Knock sensor ignition with no distributor etc.
> The parts are expensive, very, but you usually only have to buy them once,
> like say a timing belt or some guide wheels for it.
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com