Scott, the Previa spark plugs are accessed from the top, by removing the
passenger seat. I guess it's like a Vanagon in some respects, you need to
know something about it to work on it.

RVC : I think Don should buy one as well, then install the engine in his
Vanagon. The Previa engine is laid over at a 75 degree angle, so it would
certainly fit well. The challenge would be engineering the accessory
drive(s).

Angus Gordon
Bainbridge Island WA

www.wordless.me

On Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 8:11 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> You should/could get one.....just to see how they are.
> I think you will find they are nightmarish to work on..
> and they 'like money' when miles are high ..
> 'maybe' that's at least semi-true.
>
> if it's the kind with a driveshaft to the nose to run the AC, alternator,
> and PS pump ..
> google accesory drive driveshaft problems on that vehicle for that.
>  There's
> a bunch I believe.
>
> first time I saw that ...I thought forget it.  ..crazy extra part .
>
> and ...at least one I was under ..
> the engine is flat on it's side.
> the frame is just inches from the top of the valve cover where the spark
> plugs are..
> you start looking at it ..
> hmmmm.......regular tool won't fit in there ..
> ok..move exhaust pipe ....oh crap ..that's tangled up with the engine
> mount..
> and then something else needs to get out of the way to get at that first
> ...
> not tech-friendly at all.  At least the one I was under was like that.
>
> but get one ..it'll be a blast.
> socker mom.
> lol !!
>
> scott
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, June 03, 2011 7:40 PM
> Subject: Re: LVC Searching for a project
>
>
>   Here's an idea.  Toyota Previa.   All wheel drive mid engine supercharged
>> little van.  They are really cheap on the west coast and I hear great
>> things
>> about them from friends who have them.
>>  They are found (west coast) in the $800 to $3500 price range and said to
>> be good for around 300k miles before they need a motor...they come with a
>> 4sp auto and an electric overdrive gear or very rare 5sp manual.  Next
>> time
>> I find a few thou extra in my wallet, I'm getting me one for winter and
>> for
>> highway traveling...long distance get there drives.  Work vehicle, too.
>>
>>  It is Friday...so I can mention other than VW ...compared to the going
>> price for even a beater rusty Syncro, these are almost free and they are
>> certainly less expensive to maintain...After you begin to notice them,
>> they
>> grow on you with their 'pregnant football' shape...Not Vanagons, but not
>> your dumpy family Mini-Van either with a 5sp and 4wd and perfect
>> front-rear
>> weight distribution, antilock brakes, limited slip drive train, and Toyota
>> dependability.  Drawback is some say they are 'underpowered'...I guess
>> those
>> people never drove a WBX westie..  I think the SC ones are around 165hp. a
>> vaguely recalled figure that could be wrong.
>>  Ciao, Don Hanson
>>
>> On Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 7:09 PM, Bill Shawley
>> <easywind1975@hotmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>  Anyone in PA/MD area, please let me know if you come across anything
>>> "cool"
>>> for a project car, needless to say it has to be something German (well
>>> maybe
>>> a Volvo...).  For example a few years back I picked up a 325i with a
>>> blown
>>> head gasket for cheap like $500.  I learned to pull the head and all that
>>> jazz and successfully brought the thing back to life.  I drove it for a
>>> year
>>> on and off (mostly weekends or as a backup) and eventually sold it so I
>>> could buy lumber and learn to build a deck.  Now I'm chomping at the bit
>>> to
>>> find something else like that but apparently I like in GrandAm country
>>> and
>>> the pickings are slim.  Anything advertised is always priced high so I
>>> need
>>> to stumble upon something word of mouth.  A Vanagon could fit into this
>>> scheme for sure.
>>>
>>> A beat to death Corrado in my area started this whole idea.......
>>>
>>>
>>> Ryan
>>>
>>