[Vwdiesel] 82 vanagon - what to check to make as reliable as possible?

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

  The timing belt is a good thing to make sure you know the history on.  
If it doesn't look new then it might be smart to replace it.  I've only ever 
replaced one tensioner but a lot of people do them at the same time, as 
well as the water pump.  It's easier to get to with the timing out of the way.
MUCH easier!
  Valve adjustment, new valve cover gasket or upgrade to the one piece 
rubber one.  Check the oil pressure sender for signs of leakage.  Synthetic 
gear lube in the transmission would be good.  Make sure if you use GL-4 
or GL-5 and use the correct one.  Redline seems to be the first choice and 
Amsoil is good too.  While the timing belt is off MAKE DARN SURE the 
input bushing for the injector pump isn't worn from too tight of belt tension.
This will cause a new belt to want to walk off.  It's a bushing instead of a 
bearing so it wears to one spot only, sort of egg shaped.  It won't just 
wobble 
if grabbed and checked.
  Large battery cables are nice and speed up the starter a lot generally.  
Use 
1ga or 0ga copper braided cable.  Have good battery to engine and body 
ground and make sure you have a good ground to the alternator.
  Stanadyne seems to be the hands down choice of fuel additive.  Power 
Service seems pretty well accepted too.  Several of us use 1/2 pt (8 oz) 
of 2 cycle oil per 10 gallons.  Many of us have seen quieter engine, less 
smoke, better power and better mileage from it.
  How about "30 MPG" for a license plate?  ;)
     Loren