Owen,

Have you talked to Autohaus of Switzerland?  They are just south of
downtown.  I asked them once a couple years ago if they had heard of the
Tiico conversions and he claimed to have done three.  Be very specific about
what you want done and if possible provide all the parts because they have a
tendency to use cheap reman stuff any chance they get.

If you get the ABA in, I'd be interested in relieving you of the 1.9
(whatever condition) and associated stuff before your move.

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy - 'Roland the Road Buffalo'

on 1/29/04 11:40 AM, Automatic digest processor at
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM wrote:
>
> Date:    Thu, 29 Jan 2004 01:14:14 -0600
> From:    Owen - lists <olists@THEBRANDS.ORG>
> Subject: looking for a shop in Texas for engine conversion or a decent used
> 1.9
>
> I am close to confirming that my #3 cylinder has died. I am still
> holding out hope that it is a broken valve only. It sounds worse.
>
> I need to repair/replace this engine or ideally put the 97 Jetta 2.0 ABA
> that I bought last year. I had previously decided to wait until our
> planned move to Ohio to start the conversion myself. Now I need to find
> a shop for this work since I am out of town all week for the job and I
> will be in south Texas every few weekends to help out my elderly father.
>
> Ideally I would like to find a shop in the Houston area but I am willing
> to tow it to a shop with experience to get it done right. Please contact
> me soon if you can refer me to someone.
>
> I contacted the one shop I know of in Houston (on Richmond) and was told
> I should find a used 1.9 (they don't trust any rebuilds and don't tear
> into waterboxers) they will charge me $700.00 to remove and reinstall
> the used engine. The owner will call me back about swapping the ABA. No
> call back. Just as well. Even in my inexperience it took me less than 6
> hours total to r&r this engine last August.
>
> I may wind up shipping the van to Ohio as is and start the conversion.
> It would be disappointing to miss our last trip to Aldamas Mexico for a
> while.
>
> Thanks for indulging my long post.
> Owen