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zeekiel Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2011 Posts: 153 Location: South Lake Tahoe, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:58 am Post subject: Money Machine |
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Well I guess the rumors are true that these vans are more expensive than a Ferrari. I've kinda always known it just from being an owner. But my head gasket blew. My mechanic said it failed the head gasket test? .. Also, when you turn my van on the temp gauge immediately goes all the way to maximum hot.
Anyways, Im having a hard time finding the next logical step. from my understanding these are my options as I don't have a garage and only basic tools and basic car knowledge.
1. Rocky mountain westy 2.2 conversion $12,000..3 year warranty
2. Replace heads $2,000 but im just putting new parts on an old engine and who knows how long that will last again.
3. Replace with Remanu motor from Bus depot $4,500 no warranty
4. buy a high milage subaru motor and have my mechanic install. prob around $7,000
5. Try to sell the van with blown heads, who knows how long that would take. and im moving at the end of this month.
I paid $6,000 for the van. and I love my van. but this is starting to get ridiculous. Am I missing any options. What would you do? This has been sad and frustrating.
Welcoming any comments!! _________________ 85' Westy GL /w 2.1L Swap |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3039 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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joseph928 Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011 Posts: 2114 Location: flagstaff az.
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:12 am Post subject: new engine |
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...light=cent X-2 Only one state over. In New Mexico. _________________ 1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.
Last edited by joseph928 on Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:13 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76760 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Money Machine |
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zeekiel wrote: |
Well I guess the rumors are true that these vans are more expensive than a Ferrari. |
Not quite.
_________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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zeekiel Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2011 Posts: 153 Location: South Lake Tahoe, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:26 am Post subject: |
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Im leaving colorado at the end of this month and I believe he has about a month wait on his rebuild, although it is very nice it is still around 4k just for the motor (without his exhaust package?) which is about the same price as just about any "new" remanu motor. the only money I would be saving would be the conversion kit and extra labor for the wiring harness? correct me if Im wrong PLEASE!
Glenn, I was clearly exaggerating about being the cost of a Ferrari but its pretty expensive. _________________ 85' Westy GL /w 2.1L Swap |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:28 am Post subject: |
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Do item 4. If you can get a quality job for $7k it is a good deal.
I was a dyed in the wool keep it stock person and it took me years to decide, buT I am a happy camper for almost 3 years now. My EJ22 had I think about 145K on it. Night and day. The trick is to do it right with the right parts from a person who knows the tricks. I love my van. I am sitting in it at a venue using my iPad to send this message. It is brainless ownership. Toot toot for number 4. _________________ "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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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3039 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:37 am Post subject: |
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zeekiel wrote: |
Im leaving colorado at the end of this month and I believe he has about a month wait on his rebuild, although it is very nice it is still around 4k just for the motor (without his exhaust package?) which is about the same price as just about any "new" remanu motor. the only money I would be saving would be the conversion kit and extra labor for the wiring harness? correct me if Im wrong PLEASE! |
You are getting a performance version of the original motor. More power, improved components, hand-built with warranty. Much more bang for the buck than a typical remanu motor.
You're right, the price doesn't include the exhaust. I have the exhaust he designed and has made a significant power improvement on its own. _________________ 89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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levi Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005 Posts: 5522 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Money Machine |
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zeekiel wrote: |
Well I guess the rumors are true that these vans are more expensive than a Ferrari. I've kinda always known it just from being an owner. But my head gasket blew. My mechanic said it failed the head gasket test? .. Also, when you turn my van on the temp gauge immediately goes all the way to maximum hot.
Welcoming any comments!! |
If by "immediately" you mean less than 15 seconds, that has nothing to do with head gaskets. I'd be wanting to be sure that it's really head gaskets before making a big money decision. _________________ One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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alnvilma Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 395
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:55 am Post subject: |
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"I don't have a garage and only basic tools....."
My boat exactly but I just did a Bostig conversion. Took me about 6 weeks on & off.
There is a 1st version kit offered in the classifieds for $1500. Add another $1500+ for an engine and parts and your're on the road w/o the Wasserleaker.
It wouldn't be as beautiful as the new version but serve the purpose. You could always upgrade the mounting system down the road.
I've got >$10k in a tin-top but who's counting? Nothing else out there as versatile for that $ |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:10 am Post subject: |
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Thinking that any old rebuild will compare to a Vanistan rebuild is nuts
Bostig offers a great Kit.
Not having tools, a shop, worrying about the cost and needing it done in less than 30 days leaves very few options other than finding a used waterboxer from a conversion and hanger it swapped in. |
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zeekiel Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2011 Posts: 153 Location: South Lake Tahoe, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:19 am Post subject: |
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insyncro wrote: |
Thinking that any old rebuild will compare to a Vanistan rebuild is nuts |
Im refering to a non WBX motor rebuild. like subaru _________________ 85' Westy GL /w 2.1L Swap |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17011 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:19 am Post subject: |
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What head gasket test? As stated above, the coolant temp gauge pegging with the key on is an electrical problem not an indication the engine is overheating. I'd get a second opinion.
You can get away with spending little money on your vanagon if all you do is run down to the store with it. If you want to travel reliably, prepare to get your wallet out. This would be true of any 30 year old vehicle including a Ferrari. You can buy a vanagon cheap, but it won't be cheap to keep. _________________ ☮️ |
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zeekiel Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2011 Posts: 153 Location: South Lake Tahoe, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:23 am Post subject: |
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rsxsr wrote: |
What head gasket test? As stated above, the coolant temp gauge pegging with the key on is an electrical problem not an indication the engine is overheating. I'd get a second opinion.
You can get away with spending little money on your vanagon if all you do is run down to the store with it. If you want to travel reliably, prepare to get your wallet out. This would be true of any 30 year old vehicle including a Ferrari. You can buy a vanagon cheap, but it won't be cheap to keep. |
The van will start and it seems to be running fine? but it will very quickly overheat. Ill have to talk to my mechanic some more, he's not pressuring me to do anything.
But what had happended was I was driving it back from a 1,000+ mile trip and it would overheat then go back down within seconds.. and it did that maybe 10x on the trip on the way home and then recently it got to a point where it will overheat immiedatly and will not go down. took it to a mechanic and he said one of the heads is blown? _________________ 85' Westy GL /w 2.1L Swap |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3102 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:26 am Post subject: |
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djkeev wrote: |
Their only practical skill is the ability to write huge checks! Hopefully they also have the skills that earn them huge paychecks as well! |
Sorry to thread drift but I'm getting pretty darn tired of reading these sorts of comments. I'm hardly a 1-percenter but it does in fact take a bit of money to own a garage and tools let alone a "toy" vehicle.
If my only "practical skill" is the ability to write huge checks I'm f-ing happy with that. Try feeding your family and paying a mortgage using whatever "practical skills" you employ to keep your van running. There are a sparse few on this board that can make that claim and at least one of them appears to question whether that is worth continuing.
I enjoy working on my van. I've replaced the fuel tank/lines, coolant system, propane tank, and countless little things. But you know what else I enjoy? Biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, playing music, enjoying a glass of wine, visiting friends, etc etc etc. When the time needed to fix something on my van is going to cut too deeply into the rest of my life it's off to the shop where they can fix the problem while I do other things. Six weeks of my time to do an engine conversion? I simply have no desire to do that - I'm glad my "practical skills" allow me to pay someone else to. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7733 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:29 am Post subject: |
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Like Dylan suggested, don't forget option #6:
Swap for a used WBX from someone else's conversion.
Cheap, (relatively) easy and you're back on the road...(for now)...
PS: Please tell us more about this so-called "head gasket test"...??? _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3039 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:32 am Post subject: |
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djkeev wrote: |
I pity those poor souls who lack a garage, lack tools and lack any mechanical skills to use tools.
Their only practical skill is the ability to write huge checks! Hopefully they also have the skills that earn them huge paychecks as well!
Dave |
We don't want your pity. Just your garage space! _________________ 89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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zeekiel Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2011 Posts: 153 Location: South Lake Tahoe, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:44 am Post subject: |
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dhaavers wrote: |
Like Dylan suggested, don't forget option #6:
Swap for a used WBX from someone else's conversion.
Cheap, (relatively) easy and you're back on the road...(for now)...
PS: Please tell us more about this so-called "head gasket test"...??? |
I'm going to call my mechanic again today and get more details.. thank you for all the input.. I guess I need to somehow figure out the route i want to take.
and I do a fair amount of my own work unless I feel that I cannot. I did all my own fuel lines, spark plugs, distributor, fuel pump and other minor stuff..but I don't feel comfortable doing a swap.
This whole situation just breaks my heart. _________________ 85' Westy GL /w 2.1L Swap |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:45 am Post subject: |
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If the mechanic did a warm leakdown test...than that will establish how bad off the headgaskets are.
The temp gauge and associated wiring and sensor are not to be trusted
If it spikes from cold start within seconds, I would be carefully looking into that first.
FYI, a rebuilt 2.2 Subaru motor could very well be on its third rebuild at this point in time and that motor only offers minimal gains of performance and reliability in the "rebuilt" arena.
As Jon posted...if you have a burning desire for a 2.2, go and buy a complete running van already converted and save the hassle and expense of building your van.
Sell it as a fixer upper to offset the cost.
I don't see the time element working in your favor when thinking conversion. |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7733 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:48 am Post subject: |
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zeekiel wrote: |
This whole situation just breaks my heart. |
Sorry to hear that, but these are machines...they break, you fix.
Your turn today - I may be next.
Git 'r done. Good luck. _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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