> That's pretty scarey. Not a whole lot of difference between a 79(bus) 1.8
> Aircooled and an 80 (vanagon) 2.0 Aircooled.

I expect that they just don't want to deal with it after looking at
whatever changes were made, and simply keep a hands off attitude about
it. Plus, like you say, swapping a 20 year old for a 35 year old is
probably not very profitable for them :) For me, it would at least be a
significant increase in power for staying air cooled.

I think my best road would be a new engine from that south african
dealer. I got a quote for $1098 + frieght from Houston, TX which seems
quite reasonable. I just need to verify that it has hydraulic lifters,
and will my VW expert mechanics bail me out when I screw it up :-)

> Perhaps "RoadCow" is the way you want to go.
>

I thought you were just kidding, or being sarcastic with this somehow,
till I searched for and found that site. :) He still had to deal with
the water cooled stuff tho, and I don't relish the idea of plumbing a
new radiator and heating system. If I am ever gonna bother putting in a
water cooled, I can't imagine a reason not to go with at TDI.

John