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WytEurp
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2010
Posts: 3
Location: North San Francisco Bay Area
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 Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 2:09 pm Post subject: Need Help with 81 Vanagon Engine swap |
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Hey guys My 81 Vanagon camper just died and I need a new engine. I live in the SF Bay Area and have been trying to find an option I can afford. I have been doing business with the guys from Bus Lab in Berkeley who I really like but I just can't afford the $7000 they want to replace the air cooled engine.
Does anyone out there have a cheaper option? I'm really only looking at keeping the van for another year or so. But want to get a little more out of it and have it running when I sell it. |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18981
Location: Retired South Florida
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RCB
Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005
Posts: 4143
Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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| CALL FREDS GARAGE IN REDWOOD CITY (650) 368-5343. Talk with either Tom or John. Freds has professionally serviced my air cooled Westy since day 1 which was 10 years ago. Very honest very reliable. |
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jismay
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2010
Posts: 219
Location: Norco, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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Unfortunately that is pretty much in the ballpark for a type IV engine replacement in a vanagon.
I had mine replaced last year by EuroPro in Costa Mesa, and it was in that general range.
The long block alone from a reputable builder is in the mid $3k range. Once you add labor and additional parts (fuel injectors, exhaust repairs, rewiring, etc) you quickly come up to that $7k range.
If you have the time, skill, and space to do it yourself I would guesstimate you could get into a rebuilt engine in the high $2k range, but that assumes a lot of familiarity with rebuilding type IV engines, as well as the ability to R+R the engine and troubleshoot the fuel injection, etc.
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1970 Squareback with 1915cc dual 40idf
1979 Beetle Convertible
1980 Vanagon Westfalia
1989 VW Cabriolet |
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