In my case I am running an 88 GL as my daily driver. The man doing the
tranny is Jam Connel at Jim's VW in Leeds Alabama. My daily driver has a
2.1L WBX Jim Jim rebuilt in year 2000 and it currently has a hair over
150,000 and that skutter is going strong - looks like it's going to make
200,000 on the rebuild.Only a couple of the externals have given up and
had to be replaced. Water pump, PS Pump, and Alternator - some hoses.
He's "The Main Man" around these parts, and he is the one that would do
my top overhaul if it gets done. Don't know as I would want anyone else
to do it.

Last time I was at Jiom's place he had 8 bright and shiney cranks laid
our, a dozen, rods just refurbished, a whole bunch bright and shiney
heads laying on a table, several shiney crank cases and a bunch of new
cylinder barrels. He was lining up to get them all assembled.

I trust his work implicitly.

John

On 5/29/2014 9:50 AM, John Schwartz wrote:
> For $5K he could get a new engine built and installed by one of the expert
> such as Vanistan, Rocky Jenning, et al^
>
> As a reference I did almost everything he is looking to do, that is new
> rings, new heads, seals and gaskets, ALL hoses and SS pipes, thermostat,
> Temp II sensor, installed oil pressure  and temp switched and gauges, oil
> pump, water pump, fuels lines and regulator, and swapped out all the plastic
> coolant engine fittings...  I didn't need to replace the barrels or pistons
> and this advice came from a gentleman that was more than willing to sell me
> more the parts.....  we cleaned them up and life is good...   The total cost
> was $2200 for parts (the heads were not cheap) and about $1000 for labor....
> and I got to help and learned a few things...  that was the best $1000 I
> have spent on this van...
>
> When I got the van we put about 1000 miles on (400 the first day) to shake
> out all the problems...  and those "I have been sitting for about 14 years"
> gremlins reared their ugly heads.... quickly....
>
> Regarding your 1.9L....  I put close to 180K on one of those in just a
> little under six years.... 85 Capri Blue Tin Top.... some of these miles
> were pulling a Prindle catamaran all over god's creation on the west
> coast.... it is a stout little engine....  and the van never let me down.
> The only things I replaced were the water pumps (3 of them) and a
> clutch..... Yes, you should nurse that engine... owning and keeping one of
> these things running is not a cheap proposition as I am sure you know and a
> lot more expensive if you do things on the cheap....
>
> I too am looking to do the Subie conversion....  I am currently acquiring
> the parts....  just missed out on a 92 Legacy for $2K with only 100K on the
> clock...  Oh well!  keep looking
>
> Good luck
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stuart MacMillan [mailto:stuartmacm@gmail.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 7:02 PM
> To: 'John Schwartz'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: RE: WBX Recommendations Sought
>
> There are some serious "while you are at its" here!  He'll be into it $5000
> or more, and I would not do the Go Westy 2.2 kit without doing the bottom
> end too.
>
> That's why I'm nursing my stock 1.9 for a while longer, and he may be able
> to use that old engine too.  I'd rather put the $5000+ into a Subaru
> conversion.
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> John Schwartz
> Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 4:26 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: WBX Recommendations Sought
>
> My van was a similar situation that is sat for many years.....  once I got
> her running there were a few coolant and oil leak that I wanted to tend
> to....   She had about 95000 on the clock..
>
> Once apart we went ahead and did a rebuild similar to what you're looking
> at...  I only did this in place of a new engine because I know I'll be
> swapping it out for a Subi in another year or so.... and have some serious
> road trips planned for this summer...
>
> With that:
>
> I would recommend going with the Rocky Jennings or GoWesty configured AMC
> heads....  You spending about $100 more, but they will have the upgraded
> valves and machined ports etc.....
>
> Your cylinder barrels should be OK, but sitting there may have been some
> rust and pitting which could cause some burring oil from oil blow by....
> check them.... may be able to get by with honing them.    if you do go with
> new barrels etc.. may as well go for the gusto and get the 2.2 kit from
> Go-Westy.....
>
> H2O Pump.... absolutely...  and while you're at it change out the plastic
> coolant system fittings that come off the engine.... what the hell was
> Dieter thinking about when they installed theses at the factory....  and
> while the system is down may as well change ALL the hoses....  Van Caf� has
> a kit alredy to go... A little pricy, but in the end it is cheaper than
> having to go to five different places....   Also flush the system and
> replace it with G12....  I know I'll hear some push back on this...
>
> Your oil pump should be OK.....  but considering it is a $50 part and four
> bolts, may as well go for it....   Also, you may consider installing an oil
> pressure and temp senders/switches...
>
> Also, no mention of your fuel lines....  it goes with our saying....  and
> your pressure regulator may need to be swapped out too....
>
> All in all, my engine feels pretty tight, has good torque, hums like a
> sewing machine, and I wouldn't think twice about a 3K mile run in her
> tomorrow...    I may postpone the Subi for another year....  but I am still
> collecting parts!!!!
>
>
> Good luck
>