Hello All,
I just purchased a Vanagon Carat from a fellow listee Sam...So I am now
officially a Vanagon owner.
So I have a few questions for the list....let me know your thoughts....
The Van has 156,000 miles on the original engine. Only one head has
been replaced. So my question is..assuming the engine has been
maintained well...When should this engine be rebuilt? Other question
would be, if I am going to do a rebuild should I One...wait for the
engine to die mechanically and then buy a rebuild engine? Or should I
look for a good core engine and rebuild it and swap it out before the
other engine dies? I figure if i do it this way i can sell my used
engine as a good core and make a little money back. I am not new to
building engines...I build the engine that is in my Scirocco...but
doing a Vanagon engine would be my first. IF i was to buy a good core
engine...what should i expect to pay for it? This is a 89 so i would
need the 2.1 liter. Any advice would be great...Also any advice on a
shop to buy the pistons..re-grind the crank ect. ect....
O'yeah..one more question..the Van has an S&S exhaust that is very
rusty and will need replacing...should i go with the S&S again or go
back to the stock exhaust system? Im looking for longevity but if the
S&S makes a lot of difference in power I may be flexible.

Thanks all,
jesse
86 scirocco with almost 300,000 miles and still going strong
89 Carat in need of some refreshing