In a message dated 99-02-07 12:10:03 EST, you write:

<< So, am i risking anything by switching over at this stage in the game or
not.
 I have read that some people swithced over, but when, and how is everything
 going so far with the switch

 any info as always is appreciated
 jon 88 gl 90k
 had the van about 1.5yrs >>

Jon,

I have an '87 GL that I've owned for 10 years.
For the first 8 I used Castrol GTX 20W-50 (Summer) and 10W-40 (Winter).
I changed oil at 3,000 mile intervals.
At 119,000 miles I switched to Castrol Syntec 5W-50 (Summer) and 10W-30
(Winter).
I have since been using the 7,500 mile oil-change interval.
The motor had no oil leaks prior to the switch and none have been noted since.
I currently have 130,000 miles on and everything appears to still be tight.

Sam Bateman
Fork Union, VA
'87 Vanagon GL