In a message dated 98-03-11 07:14:39 EST, vw4x4@fyi.net writes:

<<  Don't forget the cost of machining the block. ALL motor
     cases  that I have ever taken apart, have required a line
     bore to make the crank run true.

             Eric                   86-VW4x4
             vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
             Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler >>
Eric,

    Are you talking about air-cooled or water cooled boxer engines?  The
machinist who is supposedly the best in the Washington, DC area told me he has
only seen one Vanagon engine block that needed to machined (line-bored).  He
says the alloy they used on those engines were more resistant to wear than the
magnesium blocks that VW used in the 60's and 70's.  I am going to have the
block checked for wear anyway, but this guy says he would be very surprised if
I needed anything done to the block.

   Thanks for the response.

Russell G.
'85 GL
'93 EV