Date:         Mon, 10 Jan 2000 09:29:14 EST
Reply-To:     JKrevnov@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rico Sapolich <JKrevnov@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Some Engine Conversions (fomerly "TO WATERBOXER OR NOT"??)
Comments: To: warren8@earthlink.net
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Warren:
I read your e-mail with great interest.  Finally, someone with real-world
experience and not a financial connection has spoken up regarding the merits
of the various engine conversions.

I have been driving Vanagons since 1989.  I currently have 2 Syncri: a 1986
and a1990.  After becoming familiar with my first one, a 1984 sunroof, and
then replacing its exhaust system, I soon realized that there has to be a
better way.  The Waterboxer is such a series of engineering compromises I
swore I would never rebuild one.  Long before the Kennedy kit became
available, I started to sort out a Subaru conversion but, new Vanagons kept
cropping up before I was forced to rebuild or convert.  That no longer is the
case.

Logically and intuitively, the Subaru is the way to go.  Subaru did what VW
should have done; i.e., take the dimensions of the flat four and create a
true water cooled engine around them.  When I look at the two designs side by
side, I can imagine a bright-eyed Subaru designer standing at his drafting
table while taking measurements from a VW engine and saying,"Let's see.  The
crank centerline goes here.  The camshaft is here... ".

Since I have already melded the two electrical schemes, the only thing that
gives me pause is the low-hanging oil pan, particularly on the Syncro.  It is
not that I do any intentional off-roading but, I live in an area with harsh
winters and the resultant poorly surfaced roads.  Kennedy's solution of
sectioning the oil pan is not acceptable to me.  I have heard of converting
the Subaru engine to a dry sump lubrication system.  Do you have any
information on this?

I am a degreed engineer with much experience in the design and fabrication of
all manner of things mechanical, electronic and electromechanical.  I
associate with many men of great skill who are master craftsmen of the old
school.  Since one of my greatest pleasures is to bring what I have committed
to paper into three-dimensional reality, I maintain a rather complete
prototype shop for my own use.  Let me know what you need and, time
permitting, I will help you in return for any significant cost of materials
and hired-out time.

Richard