Angus wrote:  "Durable, powerful and cheap (choose any one or two)."

Actually, those are all mutually exclusive!  You can choose only one. ;-)

If it weren't for the $500 exhaust system I need, your approach could be
cheap.  Here in Seattle I'm competing with shops and Craigslist mechanics
who buy these engines-this is Vanagon land here in Seattle. I could get a
"freshened" WBX from one of these folks for about $1000.  Probably my best
low cost option given my worn out engine.  See
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/pts/3795050066.html for an example.  If I
had to go this route I could probably sell it for $500 when I do the
conversion.  That's my "$500 plan B," but I hope I don't have to execute it!

Stuart

From: Angus Gordon [mailto:birdworks@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 9:05 AM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: coolant overflow fears and thoughts

On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 9:48 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
wrote:

  What does the novice do when he realizes that he has no hope of getting it
running again?

Turns to the Vanagon list for help!

Everyone has to start somewhere, and you must admit the interweb has been an
enormous help in spreading the needed information. The expertise of people
like Dennis and Mark has traveled well beyond their neighborhood. I think
it's an amazing time for DIY's. Access to people and parts like never
before. Just bring a well-developed sense for information sifting and you're
on the way.

I do agree that the waterboxer is not infinitely sustainable Stuart and
ultimately most of us will be looking for an alternative engine or vehicle
somewhere down the road, but in the meantime the budget-minded owner can
still extract a lot of life out the the original technology by being
creative. There are still 2.1 bottom ends out there with 100K miles of life
remaining, and the advent of so many conversions has had the benefit of
reducing the price of used waterboxer bits. Easy enough to piece together a
spare engine. Durable, powerful and cheap (choose any one or two).

Angus