Volks,
Please do not bash me for the small stuff in my reply to this
post........there are a million different answers.

> I have an '80 2.0L motor which needs a new crank (flywheel and fan fell
off), cam (lugged to death), and a cylinder head (thermostat failed, cooked
the #2-4 side). I'm planning to use a set of OEM Koblenschmidt 914 2.0L
pistons for a bit more power, and if I have to buy a new head, I may as well
buy ones with bigger valves. The van has a/c, and I'd like to be able to use
it on the highway and still be able to pass cars. :)

2.0 liter pistons and cylinders are 2.0 liter pistons and
cylinders.......Porshe, Mahle whomever.........it is the crank and
higherquality of the other parts of the porshe engine that gave it more
power and ability to handle higher rpms.  Also, the Porshe's were set to a
much higher compression ratio giving more power.  You would easily overheat
your motor with the same CR's.  Put your money in the heads!!!  Call Boston
bob and send him a good set of rebuildable heads cost a lot but he
automatically installs the big valves in them and stands by his work.  Now
you will have the best of both worlds, and will not have to give up your
heat.
>
> Question #1:
>  I understand that the 1.8L and 2.0L aircooled bus motors were fairly
similar except on the stroke and valve size. Local VW guys claim the 1.8L
had bigger valves, but that those heads would have to be bored to accept
2.0L cylinders. What's the straight dope on this?

Main problem would be that the 1.8 has round ports and the 2.0 has
square...thus you would have to use j tubes adn eliminate the heat
eschangers, or put on type 2 heat exchangers for exhaust
purposes...........the cylinders are the exact same in diameter, just
shorter in length.
>
> Question #2:
> The cam is toast, due to excessive lugging by one of the PO's. I'd like to
keep it hydraulic. Are there any mild street cams out there that can work
with the 914 pistons and 1.8L heads?

Webcam makes something, but your Heads MUST be done right.  Once again the
pistons and cylinders have nothing to do with this.
>
> Question #3:
> The van has an excellent a/c unit, hoses are in good order, etc. However,
the compressor is AWOL, as are the mounting brackets. I noticed the motor
has a small pulley behind the fan, and the cooling tin is distorted to
accomidate a compressor. Supposedly, Bus Depot sells rotary compressor
conversions for the older York-equipped vans. Does this include all the
hardware I'll need to put a compressor in, and where does the belt go?

I have ordered said kit going on 2 months ago and have yet to recieve it!  I
did get the compressor, though. Sanden sd-5

> I don't see anywhere on the tin where it could get from that small pulley
out to where the compressor would mount.

the belt goes to an idler pulley which in turn has another belt that turned
the compressor.  My guess is that with the sanden this setup is eliminated.
>                    Thanks!
>
>                    Sean L.
>
>                 '86 GL "Blitzen"
>                 '83 GL "Belle"
>                 '82 GL Diesel "Donder"
>                 '80 "First Lady"
>
>                 All siebensitzers! :)
>