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Mon Feb 25, 2002 12:18 pm

I'm just getting started in my search for a water-cooled Westfalia. Are there model years that are clearly better than others, from a performance and maintenence stand point?

I've been steered away from air-cooled by friends who own later models. Is their bias warranted?

Any info. will be greatly appreciated. I owned a 67 camper bus in 70-72 (just back from Vietnam), and I've been missing it ever since.

Thanks, Will Gilmore
Hayward, WI

Mon Feb 25, 2002 4:07 pm

i prefer the air cooled vw's, nostalgia more than anything. water cooled vans have their own problems (heads for one) how do you plan to use the van?

Tue Feb 26, 2002 9:05 am

Seasonal weekend use, with several longer road trips per year -- the roads less traveled versu interstates. The van will probably be stored for most of the winter months, coming out only for a 2-3 week jaunt south.

Thanks for your reply.

Will

Wed Feb 27, 2002 1:41 pm

in that case the air cooled may be the thing, less
trouble with sitting and less need for the extra power
on freeways. the air cooled engines are also relatively cheap to rebuild

john

Tue Mar 05, 2002 5:42 pm

I would also recommend that you check out the website: type2.com as they have a lot of info on both the air-cooled and water-cooled buses. As someone said earlier, the watercooleds are not without their problems, especially head repairs. I own a '69 Westy that I've bumped up to 1680 cc, with Kadron carbs for cruising up steep mountain grades during long vacation trips. Regardless of which bus you buy, you will not get a fast cruising machine...my Westy cruises nicely at 65 mph on the highway and that is fast enough for me and the family. Perhaps a Eurovan would be another alternative if you'd consider a more modern bus?

Thu Mar 14, 2002 6:16 pm

Oh, God, don't pollute the highways with more Eurovans (I'm not biased, huh?).
I have a '70 Westy I love and an '84 Vanagon GL (not a camper, sadly).

If you are familiar with air-cooled VW's and are not interested in cruising at the speed limit then an air-cooled is for you. Just realize that the WHOLE CAR is twenty or more years old!!!

The Vanagons are much more modern cars with real heat and actual cruising power. Some even have air-conditioning (but that may be a bit too much stress on a Westy).

The creme de la creme is an '86-'90 Westy with Syncro and the 2.1L. Talk about a bunch of devoted fanatics!

The vaunted head problems with the wasserboxer are not too bad. It is not fun to fix but not too hard either. Shops charge a lot because it takes a lot of time. Therein is the rub. Taking your time and being meticulously clean is the key to a successful head gasket job on a wasserboxer. Besides, an otherwise wonderful van with a blown head gasket is a real bargain.

I bought the GL AND replaced the rings, head gasket, rebuilt the heads, and new lifters (unnecessary) for under $2K!

Mike!