Chris.

Rather than converting Pokey to water cooled, keep your eyes open for
a wasserboxer with a popped motor.  The cost and engineering involved
in converting an air-cooled Vanagon to a wet one will be beyond
belief.  The best course of action is to haunt the local wrecking
yards for one.  Typically they can be had for under a thousand
dollars. Our local yard, which has a total of two vanagons in it,
recently got an '85 GL with a fist sized hole over the #3 crankshaft
journal.  Asking price for the entire Van was $800.  $500 would have
taken it home. It was reasonably straight and complete.  Selling the
FI parts would have paid for the whole thing!

Just stop in and tell them that you're looking.  Leave your phone
number.  Most yards would rather save the hassle of parting one out
and sell the whole thing!  Also place an ad in the local free 'trader'
newspaper indicating your interest.  You might beat the junkyard to one.

Jim Arnott
WetWesties
Union, OR