Hi Guys,

It's already Monday and halting this off topic thread is long overdue. Please defer any further OT comments until Friday.

BenT
Mod

On Jun 6, 2011, at 3:20 AM craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Volvo 240. I have a parts car I can give you.
> 
> -Craig
> 
> 
> On Sunday, June 5, 2011, Angus Gordon <birdworks@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>