The 1.6D engine in the cars and Vanagon are the same.  Some of the
accessories, brackets, pulleys, oil pan and pump, intake and exhaust are
unique to the Vanagon.  The Vanagon also uses a unique injector pump
throttle lever to clear the engine cover.  The block and head are identical
and compression ratio is the same.  Both of my Vanagons have car diesels in
them.  It's a bit tedious swapping over all the special Vanagon parts, but
very simple.

Mike Snow

> What are the differences between a car diesel (1.6l) and a vanagon
> diesel (1.6l). Are there differences in compression. Bentley says
> 406 psi is minimum compression. Are there methods that would
> produce lower results that would be appropriate? Any concerns
> about a car diesel being substituted for a vanagon diesel (It was
> done by professionals). Any other bits of wisdom?