From: bew@brahms.udel.edu (Ben Williams)
Subject: Re: [A]FAQ for Air-Cooled VW's 12/16/92
Summary:  Some additions, corrections, questions
Organization: University of Delaware
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 21:20:17 GMT

In article <1992Dec16.110627.1@ulkyvx.louisville.edu> pgheit01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu writes:
; This is the Frequently Asked Questions List for Air-Cooled Volkswagens.
; This file was last edited 12/16/92.
; 
; The editor welcomes any comments or suggestions for changes, additions,
; or deletions to the FAQ.
; 
; 1.) What is the best manual to buy for my VW?
; 
; "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures
;      for the Complete Idiot 14th Edition" John Muir.  John Muir 
               ^^^^^^^^

  Actually, that's:  "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive:  A Manual of
  Step by Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot."  At least that's what
  my edition reads.

; 4.) What are some good places to mail-order stuff from?
; 
; People have had different experiences with the various companies.  Ask
; around.  Here are some of the addresses though. (1)
; 
; Wolfburg West
; 601 E. Lambert Road
; La Habra, CA 90631
; (213)-679-9378

  The other poster of addresses gave the phone number for Wolfburg West as
  (310) 697-WEST.  Which area code is correct?

  I'm still very surprised that no one has mentioned J.C. Whitney.  Ok, so
  maybe they aren't a good source for parts that need critical tolerances
  (and it is true that VWs are only a sideline of their's).  But they also
  sell things that I can't see any problems with, such as body parts,
  carburetors, brake parts, special VW service tools, etc.  Even Bentley
  manuals for only about $25.
  Anyway, I am a bit disappointed that all the sources listed (save one)
  are all the way on the other side of the continent (from me, anyway).  So
  just in case anyone is interested:

    J.C. Whitney & Co.
    1917-19 Archer Avenue
    P.O. Box 8410
    Chicago, IL     60680
    (312) 808-4600

  Also, I just recently was given a catalog for another VW parts supplier not
  on the west coast.  Don't have any experience with them yet, but their
  prices seem to be twice those of J.C.W.:

    Rocky Mountain Motorworks Incorporated
    901 Rampart Range Rd.
    Woodland Park, Colorado  80863
    (719) 687-1003
  
  This place sells, among lots of other VW stuff, GEX 'remanufactured' engines
  for $850. 

; 
; 5.) Do I need to use a lead additive/lead substitute in my VW?
; 
; Volkswagen stated that all of their heads from about 1966 on have been
; made with hardened valves and valve guides.  Therefore lead
; additive/substitute is not needed.  If your heads have been rebuilt,
; then the machinist probably used the good stuff.  Silicon-bronze valve
; guides are the good ones if that helps.
;

  This is awfully interesting information to me anyway (and why none of
  my manuals even mentions this subject is beyond me).  Now my problem is,
  how can you tell if you have these special valves/valve-guides.  I am
  beginning to think I have been adding lead substitute for over 4
  years for nothing.  Is there some way to determine this without taking
  the engine out?  Hopefully a less destructive test than running your engine
  without the LS and seeing if it dies :-?

; _____________________________________________________________________
; 
; Edited by: Paul Heitkemper (-pH Fred)   '77 Bus  '66 Bus '67 Bug
;            North User Center
;            University of Louisville
;            Louisville, Kentucky 40292
;            (502)588-6882 voice
;            (502)588-7008 FAX
; 
; pgheit01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu      Internet
; ..!psu1vax!ulkyvx.bitnet!pgheit01   UUCP

  Great FAQ!  Keep up the good work!!

Ben.

-- 
Ben Williams
bew@brahms.udel.edu

               What we got here is a failure to communicate... 
Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw