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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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 Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:52 am Post subject: Head gaskets, tears and an open can of worms. |
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I've been a full time professional VW tech for almost 26years, 14 of which in my own shop. I've seen every combination of engine swap in Vanagons, including Subaru. I've got to say that I would NEVER repeat NEVER substitute a good working/ service-able or repairable 2.1 boxer engine for any Subaru engine. I've seen far more Subaru head gaskets turn a perfectly good Westfalia into an It'll-falia for sure, 2.1 heads leak, I agree but rarely do they catastrophically fail like the 2.5 Subaru. Another perfectly good Westy vacation ruined by a well meaning Subaru swap. Maybe it's it my Northern climate...Just my observations. Thanks for letting me rant.
Jeff |
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themervino
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2008
Posts: 87
Location: Bryson City NC
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:00 am Post subject: |
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I am not a professional mechanic but have been working on my van for 15 years. I have done a few Subaru swaps.
In your post you include all Subaru engines not just the ones that had obvious inferior head gasket problems. This is the part that I have to disagree with.
I would say if you compared any 90 to 94 Subie 2.2's (including working cars as well as swaps) with high mileage your comparison would fall flat on it face. The 2.1 would not even come close. Yes there are some high mileage 2.1's out there that don't have head gaskets problems but all one has to do is read this list and listen to the other mechanics on it to know it's very very few. I have not heard of any 2.2 Subies with that same problem that was not caused by overheating brought on by not getting the cooling system right after doing the swap.
If you want to addess the problems with the 2.5 Subie engine then please go ahead but to lump them all together as inferior just weakens your argument
Merv
90 Carat Westfakia
98 Subie 2.2 |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:19 am Post subject: |
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| Not a fan of the 2.5s either. |
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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:28 am Post subject: |
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There should be a "Desecration of Classic and Untouchable VW's" forum.
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Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:00 am Post subject: |
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If you want to addess the problems with the 2.5 Subie engine then please go ahead but to lump them all together as inferior just weakens your argument
Merv
90 Carat Westfakia
98 Subie 2.2 |
Your absolutely correct Merv, I should have not lumped the 2.5s in with the rest of the Subaru, just 2.5s seem to be the most popular here... |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:13 am Post subject: |
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| Jeff's Old Volks Home wrote: |
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If you want to addess the problems with the 2.5 Subie engine then please go ahead but to lump them all together as inferior just weakens your argument
Merv
90 Carat Westfakia
98 Subie 2.2 |
Your absolutely correct Merv, I should have not lumped the 2.5s in with the rest of the Subaru, just 2.5s seem to be the most popular here... |
Like any convesion, you have to prep the engine. In the case of the 2.5 you need to replace the head gaskets with the good ones BEFORE you put it in. It is just part of the PM you do ahead of time.
Nothing is perfect. Go do the gaskets, quick, quick and get over it and go have fun.
Sorry for your problems.....I hope you do not have my Small Car clutch problem....still waiting for parts to fix that and I have a trip in the beginning of April. We may be driving that POS Routan......
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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scottjk
Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2006
Posts: 485
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:15 am Post subject: SOHC or DOHC |
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I understand the DOHC 2.5's have a lot of head gasket issues but not so much with the SOHC. That is why so many people use them in homebuilt airplane applications. If it's good enough to put in an airplane, it's good enough to go in my Westfalia.
Dropping my Westy off to Chris at Metric Motors next month for one of his rebuilt 185HP 2.5 conversions. 
Jeff, if you are interested I have two 2.1, one 1.9 complete, and a good running 2.1 currently in my van with AMC heads along with a ton of parts I'm selling. Let me know.
Scott
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1985 Westfalia 2.5L EJ |
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