elkroeger Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 It's time to replace the engine in my car. Specifically, I've got a VW van, with a bad head gasket. I'm probably going to take it up the road to a place that specializes in converting them to subaru power. The options I'm looking at are two motors, basically the same thing, same year etc.: One is rebuilt, zero miles on the rebuild. One is used with 30K miles. The rebuilt is a little more money, but not enough to worry about. I haven't looked at a new crate motor. Perhaps I should. Which one? Low mile used, or rebuilt? Link to comment
ltljohn Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Does the rebuilt one have a warranty? What about the used one? Link to comment
realshelby Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 How many miles were on the rebuilt engine when the work was done? A fairly low mileage used engine is still factory specs and most engines today can run 100+ thousand miles without a second thought. A rebuilt engine could be great. Or rebuilt to a low standard. Like just new piston rings and not new pistons. Crankshaft bearings? What work was done to the cylinder head? New valves? I think there are some great rebuilds, but I want to know they are done right. Link to comment
Danny caddyshack Noonan Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 I'd probably fabricate some % factor to reflect the risk I'd be willing to assume for the rebuild. Then see if that magically makes your decision for you. Yes, I realize you already know the difference. Another factor though is what might have caused the rebuild? Link to comment
elkroeger Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 Warranty is the same for both motors. 1 year. Good questions on the rebuild. Thanks, I'll have to ask. They said they did it themselves, which I'm inclined to believe it was well done. Dunno about the previous mileage on the rebuilt. Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 As long as there is no evidence of oil seepage, and it hasn't sat for more than a few months, I'd go for the engine with 30K. Link to comment
scout6 Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 The head gasket issue is not repairable? We did a crap load of these when I worked at a Pontiac dealer in the 80s. Link to comment
elkroeger Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 The head gasket issue is not repairable? We did a crap load of these when I worked at a Pontiac dealer in the 80s. Oh, well, of course. And really, it's the cheapest thing to do. But there are some good arguments to move in a different direction. Those VW motors had some problems right from the start, and I'd like to get away from that. Just sick of the trip failures, and the unexplained coughing and sputtering that clears up for no apparent reason. And double the horsepower isn't anything to sneeze at. Loaded up, the stock 95 hp can get me up most mountain passes at 45 mph. I can overtake only the heaviest, and slowest of the semis.... :-( Link to comment
szurszewski Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 I can't remember - is it a vanagon? My mom is still hanging on to her ‘79 transporter and every once in awhile I think of having a more modern engine put into it so I'd like to hear about this. Is there still a shop I tacoma that does the Subaru conversions? Link to comment
elkroeger Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 smallcar.com There are perhaps several other shops around that do these sorts of things. I haven't made up my mind yet. Anything you do, along these lines is not gonna be cheap. Yeah - mine's a vanagon. Link to comment
Twisties Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 We bought a truck with a rebuilt motor 0-miles on it. It made it 150 miles. Your deal has a one year warranty. So I would think any issues would become apparent before then. How much do you trust the warranty. Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 smallcar.com There are perhaps several other shops around that do these sorts of things. I haven't made up my mind yet. Anything you do, along these lines is not gonna be cheap. Yeah - mine's a vanagon. Hopefully it's already a water-cooled one. I didn't see pictures for air-cooled vanagons, but the placement of the radiators under the chassis on the Type 2s looks awfully susceptible to road damage to me. It sure looks like they do nice work otherwise, though, and that was probably the only space they could use. Link to comment
scout6 Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 Okay. I did not realize there were other issues with that motor. Enjoy! Link to comment
elkroeger Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 brief update - I got a auto mechanic around the corner that I've come to trust. I've been talking with them, about my vanagon, they're all excited to do the work: Buy the conversion kit from a reputable outfit in Colorado, and a Jasper brand remanufactured subaru engine with a 3 year, 100K mile warranty. Haven't got the estimate yet, but jeez, that sounds more sensible than spending a pile of dough on a junk yard motor. Link to comment
realshelby Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 If you want to keep the VW, it sounds like the conversion not only brings reliability but a much better operating vehicle. Jasper engines seem to be as good as any. Let us know how it does when you drive it! Link to comment
Ken S Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 (edited) The engine suggestions above are pretty thoughtful. I noticed this Vanagon shop between SeaTac and Seattle on the Light Rail recently. Sounds like they've done a number of these conversions, and have some very good info about them on their website. They also say that they have some vans with converted engines that they'll let you test drive. My wife has an 88 Vanagon and a friend is looking for one in good shape to buy. (I saw that GoWesty did a complete rebuild/conversion and it sold for over $100K recently.) We're considering the Subaru conversion also, but not quite ready yet. We'd like to hear how it goes. Edited November 1, 2018 by Ken S Link to comment
elkroeger Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Peace Vans is a good shop. They've done stuff for me in the past. I've spoken with them a little bit about this project, and I need to do some follow up. They're still in the race. Jeez, $100k for a box on 4 wheels with a sink, stove and mattress. Prolly didn't even have any furry dice! The economical thing to do is just sell the thing and get a trailer. Or several. Shoot, you can buy a decent house in some places for that kind of dough. Link to comment
walton66 Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 A friend of mine down here bought a kit and a used ford 4 cylinder engine of some type and installed it all himself in his 4wd vanagon and has had nothing but good things to say and I know he is a road-aholic. He picked the ford conversion because he says the conversion was less expensive. Link to comment
Ken S Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 I hadn't heard of the Ford conversion kit. I wonder where to find it. Any update, elkroeger, on your conversion project? We're still considering doing same to an '88 Vanagon. Link to comment
elkroeger Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 Morning Ken, Funny you should ask. After a few more conversations, I settled on Smallcar.com. And while I'm kinda handy with mechanical things, I usually have trouble with automotive stuff. So instead of taking 8 months, and being frustrated as hell, I just sprang to have them do the work. Happily they found and addressed several other issues, and had it wrapped up in 2 weeks. Had it home for a week now. Anyway, they put in a 2.5L, 2012 Subaru Legacy motor from a car with 38K on the odometer. The trick there I guess, is that you kinda need all the associated bits and pieces **from the same car** to ensure that it works 100%. I am just tickled with it so far. So I have an '86 syncro westy. The original 2.1L puts out around 95 hp. The 2.5L subie just about doubles that. Just tootling around town, it has more pep. Noticeable, but still slower than your average econo-box. Out on the freeway, it's more noticeable. There's a small hill nearby on the interstate, where I would usually drop from 70 to 65. Now I can actually gain speed! Went from 60 to 80. 80 UPHILL??? Wow! I plan to retire soon, and I'd like to be gone in the van for months at a time. So my main thing was reliability. Like anything, it's "curtain #2", and only time will tell. But I figured that subarus have a reputation for reliability. And they are super popular cars, so it shouldn't be hard to find parts, or a mechanic. Anyway, all grins so far. Link to comment
elkroeger Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 I think Peace Vans offers a ford conversion. I think it's an in-line 4 cyl. crate motor. I knew someone who had one, and while she was happy with it, the oil pan hung down a little too much for my tastes. The places I looked into were Peace Vans, Vanaru, Rocky Mountain Westy, and Smallcar. Peace vans uses RMW and Smallcar parts. The RMW kit I'm told, loses some ground clearance, but they do sell a kit, so you can do it yourself. And I think Smallcar will sell you a kit. They have a modified oil pan, so the ground clearance remains the same. Where are you at Ken? I see you have AK plates on your van. I'll post some photos of mine in the next couple days. Link to comment
Ken S Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 I live in Anchorage. I also have a truck and 5th-wheel RV (toy hauler) that’s currently stored at Ellensburg WA. We plan to get back there soon and do some more exploring in the PNW. Link to comment
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