non-lister needs help!

[Greg Merritt <gregm@umich.edu>]

	Anybody have advice for Lori <Cranb1300@aol.com>, a non-lister?
Please respond directly to her.  I sent a response, but thought more
opinions would be helpful... I thought that $300 was a bit steep if it's a
quote for a crankshaft seal replacement!

-Greg
'71 squareback
'63 Beetle

>From: Cranb1300@aol.com
>Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 21:01:30 -0400 (EDT)
>To: gregm@umich.edu
>Subject: leaky type III
>
>Dear Greg;
>     swa your page on the www, and thought it was great!  I was hoping you
>could give me some advice about my SB.  She is a 71 automatic, and she leaks
>oil like crazy.  I have to add a quart every 2 weeks.  She tends to overheat
>easily, and hesitates when hot.  She's also been getting poor mileage.  The
>repair shop says either the seal needs to be replaced, or the engine block is
>cracked, and the engine needs replacing.  It would cost $300 to have the
>engine pulled, and the seal replaced; but if the block is cracked, then I am
>out $300 because a new (used) engine would be at least $1000, which I don't
>have.   Do you have any experience with engine block cracks?  If it is just
>the seal, I will fix it, but I don't want to lose $300!  Help!
>
>Lori