91 Westy Camper: Time for rebuild? Swap? [Resolved]

[HackAl]

This forum has been amazingly helpful to me over the last 7 years,- from helping me decide to make the purchase, to making repairs and upgrades, and even deciding where to go.

I'm now at a point where I need to decide what happens next. With my daughter 15 now, I do less family camping but still love taking it to destinations in the Catskills, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut shorelines, etc. I enjoyed Vanagons in the Valley in PA and planned on going back this year.

On the way back from a 3-day trip to Connecticut, I sprung a coolant leak and had it towed. From what I can gather, the head gasket/water gasket, passenger side has failed. I was able to confirm that the heads were resealed by the prior owner at around 100,000 miles. I'm at 169,000 miles now. Last week, I ordered a oil pressure gauge kit from Van-Again in the hopes that I could monitor and run this engine for at least another 30,000 miles.

As somebody with limited mechanical skills and tools, I am not inclined to try to replace the seals myself. I'm told having somebody do that would run about $3,000. I don't think it makes much sense to make that kind of investment in an engine this old. I could do that only to have a rod failure in 5,000 miles. But that said, the engine still runs very strong, cruising no problem at 70 mph. While I could be convinced that this engine is worth the investment, at this point I'm leaning towards replacement options. I would prefer VW but might consider Subaru.

I'm hearing mixed reviews about GW rebuilt motors, but I think they're just cost prohibitive, especially with shipping for me in New Jersey. And then who could I trust to install it? MansiSpeed makes a phenomenal product, but I'm not sure I could touch it. I'm looking at Valley Westy in Virginia but even that is a bit of a stretch, both in terms of finance and distance, but maybe.

Ideally, I would love to find somebody within 50 or 100 miles who has a solid rebuilt motor ready to swap in who could also tackle my gas tank replacement and coolant pipe replacement. I do not think that's likely.

Thanks for any suggestions, especially those that take into account the geographic limitations and sparsity of talent in this area. I love this rig and although my teenager has little interest in camping these days, maybe her kids will at some point so I want to keep it around.

[VicVan]

Hi

Cool project!

There's Foreign Auto Supply (FAS) in Southern Maine.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[ledogboy]

Andrew Flint (Flint European Automotive) looks to be about 140 miles from you- that’s not too far outside of your preferred search area.
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1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice...

[dabaron]

think this is worth a try to see if it gets the leak to stop so you can get an idea of the oil pressure?

https://www.amazon.com/Subaru-OEM-Coolant-System-Conditioner/dp/B00WFI0W2Q

doing the seals is not terrible, but... if the oil pressure looks questionable, the work would have to be done again...
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[HackAl]

Thanks. I ordered the conditioner. Worth a try.
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91 Westy.

Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

you have to ask yourself what are your long term goals. Is this your "forever" van?

Personally I hate the waterboxer. Its a Rube Goldberg design at best. When I got my van I did get the 1.9 running just to prove it ran, but in went a 2.5 subaru.

Yea, not everyone's cup of tea, but it's hard to argue that you can still get a brand new short block from Subaru for under 2K and the end result is about 170 reliable horsepower that easily fits under the deck

I wouldn't pay money for another waterboxer if I were in your shoes. You'd be better off doing a swap (in my opinion) IF and only if you were to keep the van for a long time.

Just took our westy out for a short trip. 75+ on the highway with no issues
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[Ahwahnee]

I looked at GoWesty's site and see that the 2.2 is now $5,300.

Zounds! That's quite a bit more than I paid 17 years ago but such is the nature of prices over time. It is an engine that has served me well both for camping and now also as my daily driver.

I certainly can't get an engine rebuild that cheap on any of my other cars.

[Wellington]

I would highly recommend Andrew Flint.
Even just to give him a call and see his options for you.
He is very familiar with WBX, in-line conversions, and Subaru conversions.

[Abscate]

Pull the engine in Jersey and deliver to Andrew upstate. 2 hour drive.

You could also rent a Uhaul and trailer and deliver for about $300 all in.
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.ssS!

[dobryan]

X4 for talking to Andrew about what options you have that make sense.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[JudoJeff]

Another high recommendation for Andrew Flint!

You can also investigate Bostig. DIY and a forget-it’s-there installation.
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________________________________________
1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[HackAl]

Thanks everybody. I reached out to Andrew. (They're closed Mondays).

Question: is it common to do head replacements two or three times on a 2.1L?

Who has done that more than once? I will look for a poll on this. If there isn't one, maybe I will start it.
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91 Westy.

Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list.

[dabaron]

[MarkWard]

[danfromsyr]

the cheaper you go the more $$$ it will cost in the long run
maybe ok if you aren't planning for that long a run

I'd toss the FAS swap idea out there as well. nice brandy new engine and parts.


if you want economy and not DIY time/labor/parts/expertise all come at $$..
parts are that it takes a few sets of parts to get a lasting item..

these are a limited niche market hobby vehicle that is 30-40yrs old.. we're actually happy anyone is out there willing to assist.


also to toss Ken Wilfy's at Vanagain in the considering ring.
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[Ahwahnee]

[HackAl]

[jacksonpm]

I was in almost the same situation a couple years ago. Living in Northern NJ limits the options we have because there doesn't seem to be any shops that know or care to work on Vanagons.
I bought a GW 2.3 and put it in myself. The shipping was steep but....oh well.
A straight replacement is the simplest way to get a "new" engine for your van.

[HackAl]

Thanks Jackson. I messaged you.
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91 Westy.

Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list.

[Klister]

I have a rebuilt WBX that is a 2.3L. While I sometimes covet the Subie 2.5L, I've also read many a post of folks having to upgrade the trans down the road. I like the idea of staying with the VW platform - but who knows where I'll be in 5 years.

Sell the synco for $80k?