Hi John...
It's wonderful...
I wish I have the $$ and the energy as you do...
Best wishes to you... :-)

On Sat, Mar 26, 2022 at 9:08 PM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:

> Well Gang, out with the old, in with the new. My '91 Carat now has the
> virtually new ej2.5 engine installed, coupled to the stock Vanagon
> automatic transmission. The engine came from a 2005 Outback. It had 150,000
> miles on it and I decided to have it rebuilt so it would likely last as
> long as I do - I'm 82 soon to be 83. But still able to get a wheel once in
> a while - if there is enough gravel or sand on the road. Now I really spin
> a wheel. This old van is a beast with that new engine. This project has
> been 4 years in the making and saw a lot of hiccups but is finally done.
> There is but a single item not finished and that is the AC hookup. Had to
> have special hoses made to the right length. That job will probably be done
> next week. When done, look out road, here I come. Got some traveling to do.
>
> While all this was going on the whole front end was rebuilt. New
> power steering rack, all new bushings, bearings, rotors, wheel bearings,
> brake pads. Even put Mercedes reusable locking wheel retaining devices on
> the spindles. Great innovation. Beats the heck out of the mickey mouse
> peening nuts VW uses. Not to say they are no good, but the Mercedes devices
> are so much easier to work with. They are about $8 each and usable over and
> over.
>
> And now for the body work. Electric door lock, electric windows, electric
> hatch lock, all not working properly. Going to put on a different front
> bumper. So I've got my work cut out for me.
>