I used the term "rebuild" loosely.

Sure it would cost me in parts but this '88 Westy is in good shape;
keeping it as a WBX **may** keep it's market price.
In theory, a $400 running but leaky 2.1 WBX could be bought for less.
Depending on work needed, parts cost might be less
than a DIY conversion. But that's all just talk and
we all know that a snapped case rod would bring the cost up.

I'm in this for knowledge, but having a spare engine isn't a bad thing,
assuming I built it properly. But that may be a stretch for someone
who has only "rebuilt" a 36 and 40 HP air cooled, years ago,
when he had more grey matter to rub together.     ;)

Neil.

On 9/26/14, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

> Good fun learning about the WBX. I'd almost be tempted to do a rebuild
> on one just for the knowledge.

>   ..... however, there was the expectation (gained from the research I'd
> done beforehand) that I'd hopefully end up with a better motor, one that
> would be worth the minor money I DID spend for gaskets, bearings and
> belts...
>
>    People would probably give you their old WBX motors to mess with.    If
> you had two or three, you might be able to combine them all and make a good
> one without spending  a bundle...but if you were to do a proper
> conventional rebuild, looking to have a 'dependable' one at the end of your
> project, wouldn't you need to spend quite a bit of cash for parts?  From my
> reading on the list here,  I've come to understand it's pretty expensive to
> properly rebuild a WBX motor, which is why people often do a conversion to
> something else.
>
>    Still, hanging one on an engine stand in front of the woodstove and
> messing with it during the winter, that might be kinda fun...But so would
> doing a Subaru or a Fiesta or a TDI or a 1.8 turbo, and in the end you
> would have a fresh motor that some would consider a more useful motor for a
> Vanagon.    Happy Friday everyone.
>

--
Neil n

Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca

'88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:

http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej