[Vwdiesel] Jetta Engine in "The Thing" ?

[Harmon Seaver]

On Wed, Apr 23, 2003 at 06:13:39AM -0400, Doyt W. Echelberger wrote:
> Hello Jim.......The parts counter employee at our local VW dealer owned a
> 1983 diesel Westy for several years. He let me test drive it once, when he
> decided to sell it. I was impressed/alarmed with the amount of time it took
> to run up through the gears and attain any reasonable speed on a
> straightaway. It bogged down on moderate hills, and traffic was a
> nightmare. I just kept it in the curb lane and stayed in a low gear, and
> was happy to return it to it's owner.
>
> The vehicle was too risky to own,

   Oh, come on! I love my '82 diesel westy. While of course I'd like more power,
it's perfectly driveable as it is. We bought our first VW bus new in '68, it had
a 1600cc gas engine. Had about the same power, if not less than my '82. Loved
it. Lived in it for 3 months with my wife, two kids, a dog and a cat touring all
across the US and Canada. Later I got a '73 westy and put a rebuilt '81 Type 4
in it, along with a rebuilt tranny with a bit higher 4th, and added mercedes
rims with 225/15 tires and could actually cruise at 80. But it still took some
time getting there.
   Actually, the '82 is plenty fast enough up thru 3rd gear, it's just that it
won't do anymore than 55-60. I'm planning on eventually putting in a 1.9TD or
TDI, and hopefully a 5spd, but I'm sure it will still be quit slow, compared to
most cars.
   So what? It's a camper -- ever drive any motorhome? I've never understood why
people think that slow means dangerous, I've never had anything like a close
call because I was too slow. People are *not* going to run into you, especially
from the rear since then it's clearly their fault.


--
Harmon Seaver
CyberShamanix
http://www.cybershamanix.com