JON'S MOTORS

After the nightmare experience with Phil's, I searched for a reputable and experienced
air-cooled VW engine builder. Eventually, I found Jon Kleckner. In those days,
Kleckner operated "Jon's Motors" from his house in Wayne, New Jersey.

After a lengthy initial telephone conversation, Jon told me he had an engine for me.
He explained that the 1978 2 Litre hydraulic engine had been built by himself and
was in his personal van for about 4,000 miles. He told me it was so strong that he'd
frequently "towed my Porsche behind it on a trailer." He went on to say that he
regularly drove great distances at high speeds with no engine problems.

It seemed like I had finally found my engine.

I installed the engine and it ran okay. Fine tuning of the carbs (Dell Orto's at the time) and
valve adjustments got it running alright. Truth be told, the 2L engine never equalled
the power of the original 1.7 with the tiny dual Solex carbs.

After a little over a week after I installed the engine, I was driving uphill on a highway
when I heard the exhaust getting louder and louder.

I pulled over as soon as I could to find the "mustache bar" engine brace tilted downward
on the right side. Although the van, at that time, was fairly rust-free the one rusty spot was
on the frame rail where the rear mount attached. The right mount was literally tearing
its way down through the rust.

I drove it (about 2 miles) to a mechanic. I explained what I needed and he begged off.
He was an honest mechanic (about as rare as hens teeth or a good lawyer) and although
he understood that I only needed a section of channel iron, he was not a welder or body man.

He gave me a good lead on a really nice Lincoln and I soon bought it.
Now I could take my time in finding somebody to do the welding.

Eventually, I sought someone to do the welding. This was where Lodi Welding and Don Bushgans in particular
came in. That saga is available for your reading pleasure at the VW page.