Hi Bob...

If you aren't comfortable with the techs you find in central Florida, please let me know.

I really like the one�I have here in St. Augustine. �He r&r'd my 2.1 wasserboxer �and the transmission
for me. �He got me the rebuilt engine, and Daryl at AA Transaxle rebuilt the tranny.

If you want to convert to something other than the original, then I would open a bottle
of wine and spend some time wading through the vanagon list archives to find what works best
for you.

Cheers, Anthony
'89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)

________________________________
 From: "Fuhrel, Robert" <robert.fuhrel@CSN.EDU>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 2:13 PM
Subject: request for information, please
 

Greetings, I just got the bad news (maybe good news in the long run) that the engine in my air-cooled '83 Westy is old and worn out, one cylinder shot, and so on, and the mechanic, new to me, who seems honest and has a great reputation in my new town of Lakeland, Florida, recommends getting a different engine.� He said I could drive this around town but that it might do more damage and would be running on only 75% power.
I've had the Vanagon for eighteen years, all in Las Vegas, where a superb, fast, inexpensive and honest mechanic named Robert Madrid kept it going all that time.� It is in overall excellent shape.
So,� I am asking list members if anyone knows someone in the Tampa-Lakeland (Orlando only if necessary, please) area who can put a different engine in, and what should I get if I can?� I almost certainly can't afford a Porsche engine though I've heard that is possible, but it must entail all kinds of other modifications, probably transmission and so on. I also know vaguely that Subaru swaps can be done but know nothing about which Subaru engines would work. Perhaps another VW engine would be fine, but I'd like a little more power than what I've had all these years, something that would allow me to go faster than 35mph on hills (though Florida has few, from LV to anywhere I went up and down many hills no faster than that.)� Any information will be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Best,

Bob