Don't plug the hole.  Go to the dealer and buy a dipstick and tube for a
1983 diesel Vanagon with 5 speed transmission.  You can still check the oil
level through the license plate door, but the reading is much more accurate
than the 1982 location on anything other than perfectly level ground.  Parts
should be about $50.  Make sure you get the plastic "funnel" that clips on
to the end of the dipstick tube.  The factory uses a steel oil filler tube
with plastic screw-on cap in 1983 in place of the all plastic 1982 version.

Warning: This will only work with the right size dipstick hole.  I have seen
at least 2 different sizes.  The 1983 diesel has the smaller diameter hole.
I'll bet that your Quantum engine does, too.

Mike Snow

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Bradley Flubacher
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2001 6:06 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: fitting engine into vanagon

I'm working on an engine that came out of a quantum.  I'm putting it into my
'82 westy.  The engine has a dipstick in the front of it.  What should I use
to remove and plug that dipstick hole?

Does anyone know if the flywheels are different?  I haven't looked too
closely at them for comparisons.

Anyone aware of differences that a first-time engine swapper might miss?
I've once heard that the water pump is different.  I haven't looked close at
that either, but glancing at bentley, they look the same.

Thanks,
Bradley Flubacher
State College, PA