Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 19:00:18 -0600
Reply-To: Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Porsche 944 Motor & transmission in Vanagon?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Sorry, I can't find the address of where BenT posted my pictures. I thought
I had it saves somewhere.
Don't worry everyone, as soon as the major part of the project is finished
I'll be setting up a site and posting about a zillion pictures. I've spent
so much money on this thing that I'll have to show it off.
Just yesterday I got my new front bumper mounted (previous chrome bumper
with rubber pads still available - straight and nice - holes for license
plate mount, but the holes aren't threaded - easy enough to solve - I'm
taking offers on that). For Christmas I was given a black bumper from CIP.
The finish just didn't look like it would hold up to a single stone chip,
and it wasn't drilled for a front license plate.
Being the perfectionist that I am, I had to correct this. First, I took very
careful measurements and drilled holes for the two license plate mounting
holes. Next I removed the threaded inserts from the chrome bumper. Not
having any metric drill bits, of course I made the holes too big. No
problem, I figured, I can solve that.
Next, I took the bumper to one of the places that does those spray-in truck
bed linings. The black coating isn't ever coming off this bumper now. I set
about to insert the threaded inserts into my too big holes. I had to use
some JB Weld (don't tell anyone). That didn't quite do it for me. I got some
fender washers (very large washers with small holes in the middle) and JB
welded them (don't tell anyone) to the threaded inserts on the back side of
the bumper. Two fender washers equaled the height of the insert. All of this
was assembled with copious amounts of JB Weld (once again, please don't tell
anyone).
I went and bought a really nice thin metal license plate frame. I purchased
some black nylon nuts and washers to attach the bottom of the plate to the
frame.
I went to my local county tax office to pick up my personalized license
plates ("GOGH" - you figure it out). I had to use a grinder to make the
plate fit the frame just right. Next, I attached the frame to the plate
using the nylon nuts and bolts on the bottom two holes. Those were also
secured with blue loctite.
Now for the top two holes. I went to my hardware store and purchased two 6mm
allen head bolts, two 6mm washers, and two 6mm nuts. All stainless steel, of
course. The next thing I did was paint the stainless steel allen head bolts
black (to match the license plate frame and bumper).
Once the paint dried, it was time to put the license plate on the bumper. I
fitted the 6mm bolts through the top holes in the frame and license plate. I
then gave them a liberal dose of blue loctite. Next, they were threaded down
onto the inserts that are now secured in the bumper. I bought bolts that
were a little long so I could put an additional nut on the back. I didn't
want the bolt sticking out too far, so I ground off the end so the bolt
would be just the right length. Once the bolt was tightly threaded into the
insert, I put a dab more blue loctite on the protruding threads on the back
side of the bumper. I then threaded on the remaining 6mm nuts. Threaded them
on tight.
That license plate and frame aren't coming off of there. You will have to
remove the bumper to even begin to remove them. Once that whole affair was
done, I installed the end caps (freshly cleaned and shined, of course) on
the bumper. I then bolted the bumper onto the front of the van with two
bolts that I had very nicely painted black.
You would think that a simple job like installing a front bumper would go
pretty quickly. The way I do things, I made it last a pretty long time.
Heavy duty? Absolutely. Overkill? Probably. Pride in craftsmanship? No
doubt. Great looks? How can you even ask?
This is just a portion of the reason that this project has progressed more
slowly than anticipated. Right now I'm awaiting the turbo clutch I ordered.
Once I get that, I'll be on a roll again.
Please be patient. If my wife has learned to be patient with this project,
so can all of you. I'll put up pictures somewhere as soon as I make a little
more progress on the van.
Cheers,
Bruce
>To: "Bruce Nadig" <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Re: Re: Porsche 944 Motor & transmission in Vanagon?
>Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 19:07:29 -0500
>
>Bruce,
>Would it be possible to upload them to Yahoo Photos or equivalent so that
>all interested could view them?
>
>Thanks.
>
>dylan
>----- Original Message -----
>Wrom: HSCRTNHGSWZIDREXCAXZOWCONEUQZAAFXISHJE
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2004 6:50 PM
>Subject: Re: Porsche 944 Motor & transmission in Vanagon?
>
>
> > BenT had some up for a while.
> >
> > Stan, tomorrow (if I remember) I will personally send you some pictures.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Bruce
> >
> >
> >
> > >Wrom: XXIMQZUIVOTQNQEMSFDULHPQQWOYIYZUNNYCGPK
> > >To: "Bruce Nadig" <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>,<vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > >Subject: RE: Porsche 944 Motor & transmission in Vanagon?
> > >Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 16:39:48 -0600
> > >
> > >We're still waiting on those pictures you promised last year.
> > >
> > >Stan Wilder (Actually has a Porsche).
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >Wrom: YLEJGDGVCJVTLBXFGGMEPYOQKEDOTWFAOBUZXUWLSZLKBRNVWWCUFPEGAUTFJMVR
> > >Of Bruce Nadig
> > >Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2004 3:50 PM
> > >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > >Subject: Re: Porsche 944 Motor & transmission in Vanagon?
> > >
> > >
> > >I can vouch for the expensive part for any Porsche parts. Although I'm
> > >still
> > >not finished installing my Porsche 3.2 Carrera motor and G50 gearbox, I
> > >think that I have well over $25,000 into the van now.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > >Wrom: ESKPNKMBIPBARHDMNNSKVFVWRK
> > > >Reply-To: BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
> > > >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > >Subject: Re: Porsche 944 Motor & transmission in Vanagon?
> > > >Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 12:48:42 EST
> > > >
> > > >In a message dated 3/18/2004 8:18:12 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> > > >ss180ss@YAHOO.COM writes:
> > > >I was curious-
> > > >
> > > >How well would a Porsche 944 motor fit into a
> > > >vanagon?
> > > >It seems to have the proper slant to the engine, the
> > > >transaxle is similar to other transaxles used in
> > > >VW/Audi products...
> > > >
> > > >944 Motors are good engines, good output, and are
> > > >smooth.
> > > >
> > > >has anyone seen such a conversion?
> > > >Studied it when a listee offered a donor cheap. I found at least
>three
> > > >reasons NOT to do it.
> > > >
> > > >1- 944 engine is too long. Compartment needs cutting to fit.
> > > >
> > > >2- Transmission is not directly connected to the engine. You could
>turn
> > >the
> > > >whole thing around and have a front wheel drive Vanagon with 5
>reverse
> > > >speeds.=(
> > > >
> > > >3- Por$che parts are expensive. Having owned a 928s, 911's 930s,
>914's,
> > > >etc,
> > > >I can vouch for this. Try pricing a new waterpump for a 944. 944
>engines
> > > >are
> > > >928 engines w/ one cyl. bank lopped off.
> > > >
> > > >BenT
> > >
> > >_________________________________________________________________
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> >
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