Here's my 300,000 cents worth: Get the best rebuilt "original" engine
you can get and enjoy the next 100000 plus miles. I had mine done by
Heckmann and Thiemann in Portland, OR--they put in a Canadian "factory"
rebuild and it has been flawless for the first year. I'm the second
owner of my van, purchased at 110K. The original engine went 154 K.

Of course I think it's the right thing to do, just like all these other
posters think what they did is right. It helped my decision that I had
already invested a few thousand in things that went out between 110 K
and 150K: clutch, starter, alternator, idle motor, exhaust system, cat,
water pump, etc, etc. before the heads finally gave up.

For me it has plenty of power, gets decent mileage (15 city, 17-20 hwy,
and it should last for at least another 12 years (I drive about 6 K per
year) By that time I expect we'll have some amazing choices like fuel
cells at 50 MPG available.

Larry Burt
1986 Westy GL

[message/rfc822]