Hey everyone...

I was surprised that when asked about upgrading a Wasserboxer to a bigger
Wasserboxer, vanagon owners ignore the question and say "DO A CONVERSION!"
That says alot. So, the last few hours I have been researching...

The Tiilco conversion makes me nervous with excitement thinking about a
BRAND NEW inline engine!
Then I feel like having a burbon when I realize that the kit costs $3600 +
Shipping.
Not necessarily overpriced I guess, but just a little more than I can spend
at the moment.
I KNOW that there are other ways to go, but after knowing that the Tiilco
is available I i'll save my dough and do that when I can afford it.

Armed with this new information I must now ask something else...

Let me re-state that I am looking at a handful of Vanagons that ALL are
between 130-180K Miles
I figure that new heads are in order for any of these high mileage vans.
But... what if the P.O.(s) have put on new heads once already...

The question is:
a) How can I tell if the engine core is too tired for it to be worth
putting new head on?
b) How many times can a wasserboxer take new heads without an engine rebuild?
c) Are coolant leaks the only reason to change them?
d) If the dealer doesnt know anything about the van, what should I look for
besides coolant leaks?

I appriciate everyones forthcomingness (is that a real word?) to my newbie
questions.
Thanks very much everyone!

Jason Loewenstein

I have an 85 w/1.9 WBX.
It's a GL and I'm not unsatisfied at all with the performance. They last
longer than the 2.1's.
Is the 85 you found a Westy? If was going up and down mountains in a westy
with a 1.9, I suppose I would wish to install a Tiico, Subaru or Boston Bob
2.1.
Good luck,
Mark Ingalls

From: wayout <wayout@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Reply-To: wayout <wayout@IX.NETCOM.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Probably a really old question
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 23:42:30 -0800
Hello All,
Im looking at a few vanagons to buy, all of them have 140 - 190K on them.
There is an 85 that has a great body for $1900 and at this price I can
afford to think about replacing the engine... is there any complication to
fitting a 2.1 in there instead of the 1.9?
Is it really worth the 8 HP?
What are your thoughts please???
Thanks folks.
Jason Loewenstein
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