John-  That’s a worthy story about a worthy life of adventure…and more to come!

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> On May 22, 2022, at 5:44 PM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Yep, Stephen. I'll be 83 in October.
> 
> i thought it would be fun to retrace my history.
> 
> Two car wrecks, one bad barracuda encounter when diving, one engine nearly
> coming off in flight over the Brooks Range in Alaska, loss of flutter
> dampening aileron counter weights in turbulence over the Brooks Range -
> should have crashed but miraculously didn't, uncontrolled upside down
> outside loop while moose hunting on the Yukon River - scared me so bad I
> pulled a cone in the pilot seat they couldn't repair - had to change out
> the seat. Got struck by lightening while making pots on my potters wheel.
> In 2014, had a stroke that paralyzed me completely from head to toe on the
> right side. Got it all back but for a slight limp in right leg. January
> 2020, broke three ribs, collapsed a lung, had what's called a bi-lateral
> decompressive laminectomy - that was fun. In November I broke my left hip,
> from which I'm still recovering. The doc's put me back together with screws
> and some  bone cement. Sure glad I didn't have to have a hip replacement.
> I'm going to have fun at the DMV when I renew my drivers license. Gonna
> make all the alarms go off.
> 
> That's where I am now. And I'm sure as heck not going to ask what's next. I
> can walk, albeit with a cane or rollator, both of which I keep in my van at
> all times, along with some other strategic "old man" equipment. Although
> getting in and out of the van is a project these days, I can do it. And do
> it I will as long as I can drive my van. I love going places in that thing.
> There is nothing else out there like it. And one particular joy? Passing
> traffic struggling going up hill on the steepest hill in Birmingham!
> 
>> On Sun, May 22, 2022 at 6:08 PM Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Way to go!  If I recall correctly, you began that project when you were
>> older than I am now (71).  This gives me hope that I'll be able to complete
>> a few more projects in the time I have left.
>> 
>> Stephen
>> 
>> On Sunday, May 22, 2022, 06:33:27 PM EDT, 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.
>>