I must admit I had a pretty bad attitude toward the WBX early on and wasn't
very objective.  I still think the design leaves much to be desired.  But it
does seem to be a pretty good runner if you maintain it.
Maybe luck is a factor too regarding things like head gaskets and exhaust
studs.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Edward Maglott
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 7:13 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Considering an engine swap for the past decade, but WBX just keeps
going

When I bought my '86 Westy with AT back in 2001 I had already been
reading this list for about 2 years.  The engine was at just over
190k miles.  I was buying it from a woman and she said it had never
been rebuilt but her husband said it had been rebuilt at around 100k
miles.  He said some other things that seemed like he was just trying
to get more money out of the sale.  I immediately started considering
an engine replacement when the tired old WBX finally let go.  Subaru
was my first choice, then I was leaning more toward an inline VW
engine.  But this engine just keeps going.  It's at about 225k
now.  I haven't checked the compression in years but it seems to have
a typical amount of oomph and consumes about 1/2 quart of oil in 3000
miles.  I personally don't think this engine has been rebuilt.  I'm
leaning toward the zetek engine to swap in at the moment but I've
stopped seriously researching engine swaps because it looks like I
may never need one.

Edward