Horace,

  The engine was rebuilt by AVP.  But before judgement is passed on this
rebuilder, I am not sure SOME of the problems were not a result of the water
boxer design itself.  I am still sorting the details of these problems out with
AVP and will write a detailed description of the events that took place when I
feel they are resolved.  So, far I have only had to spend about $100 over what
the original engine installation cost me.  However, I still do not have the oil
leak completely fixed, the lifter noise bothers me a little, and more
importantly after spending about $2500 I don't have confidence in the engine.
But, that is life in slow lane.
  If I had to do it over again, I would get the VW dealer to install the motor
of their choice and let the warranty they have take care of the rest.  I would
go to the VW dealer only because there are lots of them across the country and
you could get warranty service any where.

Vince.
'85

-----Original Message-----
From: Horace K. Sawyer [mailto:firestream@mindspring.com]
Sent: Monday, August 30, 1999 1:29 PM
To: Vincent_Pappalardo@EX.CV.HP.COM
Subject: Re: noisy lifters

Hi,

I am shocked to hear of your engine problems immediately after rebuild.
Was your engine rebuilt by one of the 'name brand' companies we see on this
list, or your local mechanic?
I presume the rebuilder took care of the problem!
HK

At 10:30 AM 8/30/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Richard,
>
>  I also have a recently rebuilt engine (only 400 miles on it since I
installed
>it in May) that I have had problems with (head gasket at 300mi, Oil leak
at oil
>drain plug, noisy lifters).  After having a local VW shop check lifter
>adjustment(they said #4 feels soft) I recently changed my oil from 10-30wt to
>20-50wt and it significantly reduced the noise.  They did not seem to be too
>concerned about driving it with the noise and recommended the switch to the
>20-50wt oil.  They also would have recommended using Rislone oil treatment to
>quite the lifter if it had more miles on it.  Perhaps your engine with 5K
miles
>may benefit from the Rislone as well as the 20-50wt oil.  They also said
>changing the lifter did not require a major effort if you extract it through
>the
>push rod tube.
>  If the lifter does not quite down over the next 1000 miles, I will
change the
>lifter since I really hate extraneous noises coming from the engine -- they
>tend
>to mask other potentially serious problems.
>
>Vince.
>'85 Westy
>_______________________________________________________
>Date:    Sat, 28 Aug 1999 17:57:44 -0700
>From:    Richard Ferguson <rfergus23@YAHOO.COM>
>Subject: noisy lifters
>
>another chapter in my new rebuilt engine story...two of the lifters
>were stuck, this after about 5k miles. have also experienced a
>headgasket leak on the same engine and a shop that seized it up by not
>making sure the oil was in the engine before they ran it...of course
>they deny any culpability...anyhow the manufacturer has been good about
>the problems, replacing parts, etc. now a different shop has put in two
>lifter tubes that leaked oil...the manufacturer sent heavier aluminum
>tubes that do not leak but are way loud.The shop that put them in may
>not have adjusted them correctly...it was much quieter with the tubes
>they first put in but, of course, they leaked. is there anything I can
>do to get them quieter? This is all very frustrating due to the amount
>of time and money I have put into this. I have also learned that there
>is no shop in Richmond, Va. that I can trust to do a good job or admit
>their mistakes when they make them or be anything less that assholes
>when faced with their own incompetence. sorry for railing like this but
>it has to be said. any advice about the lifters will be most
>appreciated. and God help anyone out there that has to deal with an
>aftermarket VW shop in Richmond, Va.
>
>Rick
>85 Westie