I always want to do what you have done, John... but I have no neighbor with
vangaon skills and knowledge....  :-)

On Sun, May 22, 2022 at 3:33 PM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:

> Four years ago, the engine failed in my 1988 Vanagon GL. I said "Last time,
> Brother. The third time's the charm!" This was the third engine rebuild I
> had been through over the years and I was done. I searched around for a
> suitable alternative for the deceased WBX, and determined the nearest
> look-a-like with promise was the Subaru ej2.5. Modern technology, modern
> metallurgy, pretty good performance history, engines readily available. So
> I went for it. Little did I know what a can of worms I opened with that
> decision.
>
> I found a wrecked 2005 Subaru Outback(A tree fell on it in a storm). Felt
> like I got a good deal. Then I learned that was a transition year. Subaru
> had things in it from earlier years, and things introduced latter, and that
> made sorry choice for conversion. Things didn't match well in the
> computer/IGNITION PART. Lots of headaches. Money was slow, so progress was
> slow. Then my friend who was a skilled mechanic who was going to help with
> this, broke out with wifey trouble all over and had to find another place
> to live, thereby losing his place for my project.
>
> About this time a 1991 Carat came up for sale. The engine from my GL was
> gone, my mechanic was gone, I had fallen and had  gotten three broken ribs
> and a collapsed lung out of the deal and didn't know how the heck I was
> going to get that engine in my van.
>
> I went and talked with my neighbor, Matt Yester, on this list, who had much
> experience on these conversions. We worked a deal. He would do a
> turnkey job for me in exchange for my old van and the engine from the
> Carat. And he would completely rebuild the front end of the Carat for labor
> if I provided parts. A deal was struck.I had all brand new front end parts
> and other stuff I had gotten from Uncle Joel (remember him?) when he left
> this list group.
>
> A few weeks ago Matt came and got me and handed me the van keys. Conversion
> done, using SmallCar as the basic conversion. That engine performs
> beautifully. Going from 90 hp to 165 hp in a Vanagon is to really kick
> butt! The engine was completely gone through with a valve job complete, all
> new bearings throughout, as well as new rings. This coupled to the Vanagon
> autotranny. What a performer.
>
> Thru this adventure other things came to light. I have had to replace the
> power window motors and regulators on both sides. Window operators cables
> had been cut. I discovered that only after removing the door panels to see
> what was wrong. Door locks didn't work. RepLaced.
>
> It's been an ongoing project. But fun.
>