ANYTHING is much, much better than the WBX (except maybe the Tiico)!

My '85 has low compression in two cylinders, and an oil squirt and leak down
test showed rings and both valves leaking. I know I'd be into it at least
$1000 just doing the valves since my exhaust is shot, and still have two bad
cylinders.  More likely it would end up being a full rebuild with new heads,
pistons and cylinders, etc. for over twice that, and it's just not worth it
to end up with an unreliable 90 hp antique engine.

I'm doing the Subaru 2.2 to keep the cost down and the reliability up, and
frankly, I've had my fill of VW engines over the years.  Because I want
documentation and support with the conversion, the only in-line four I
considered is the Zetec, but the Bostig kit alone is about $7000.  Not in my
network, and it's not recommended for the automatic anyway.  The Subaru
2.2's torque curve seems to make it the best and most cost effective engine
option for an automatic.

If my engine blows before I can do the conversion, I'll find a cheap used
WBX and crawl along for a while longer.

Stuart

From: Don Hanson [mailto:dhanson928@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 8:03 AM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: coolant overflow fears and thoughts

  I see this 'inline 4=Vibrate' statement often.  This 'assumption' that
inlne 4 vws are all vibrators....Even though 'everyone always says it'. That
assumption is actually wrong.

 I think this internet wisdom comes from those original Tiico motors that
had internal changes done before they were sold to customers.  Audi/VW
internal engine parts mixed and modified somehow?  Yeah, those things are
said to be shakers and buzzers, according to the people who bought them....

  Normal VW inlines aren't like that.

  You can also find complete motors with all the stuff still attached,
motors that are almost "plug and play" using all VW diesel parts and most of
your original WBX harness, instruments, pumps, etc.....probably for the cost
of a used WBX head or a Subie conversion muffler connection...I think the VW
inline conversion route is (debatable, I know) the most cost-effective way
to get a decent drivetrain into a Vanagon.....by a large sum of money...

  Yah, the 2.5 Subie motor is probably a great "fit" for the Vanagon.
People seem to really love em...and I guess you could buy that conversion
and end up with a really smooth, silent, almost modern feeling and driving
Vanagon..
.
But back to the point of my post...   only a few people complain about
vibration in the inline VW motors in Vanagons, and these seem to mainly be
the drivers of the oldest Tiico conversion packages..The rest of us...it's
not an issue.