[Vwdiesel] Air cooled gas VW's versus Diesel VW's

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

> It's not even remotely debatable -- aircooled engines of any brand or type
> simply don't last at all compared to watercooled.

 You might want to rethink that.  : )  My brother-in-law used to work on 
combines.  Deutz-Allis air cooled diesels.  If they break down and don't 
last, farmers AIN'T gonna use em!  We have two air cooled diesel tractors. 
One doesn't seem to be running quite right but it got a couple thousand 
trouble free hours before anything but oil and filter changes.  The 
Lamborghini is still going with a few thousand on it and AFIK the 
engine is UNTOUCHED!  The water cooled tractors are in the same 
range or a tad better but get more hours due to application.  VW 
air cooled are a bit more problematic.  I put about 75K engine problem 
free miles on my 914 and it had almost 100K on it when I got it.  Setting 
valves, timing and dwell were critical to keeping it running perfectly but 
other than rings and seals,  when I bought it, the engine was problem 
free.  No loose head bolts etc.  Early 911 engines are notorious for 
getting 200 to 300K miles before any major engine work.  The valve 
adjusting isn't quite as big an issue on them either.
  Water cooled is quieter.  :)
     Loren