Hi,

I just bought an 84 vanagon for $500.  Nice and cheap, huh!  Well I knew
the engine had overheating problems (the heads need re-sealing) and the
3rd gear syncro is shot, so a good deal it MAY be.

Though I'm told the transmission will run pretty well for a while with a
bad syncro, I've decided I really want to rebuild it.  When it comes to
the engine I'm faced with a dilema.  Spending $1000-1600 to fix a 1.9L
engine that develops only 82HP getting bad gas mileage seems like
throwing good money after bad.  I've therefore investigated some engine
swap options.  The one that makes best sense to me for reasons of
reliability and power is the Tiico conversion, which utilizes a brand new
South African inline four 110HP engine.  Of course this is a LOT more
money.

Other considerations:
* Though I'm technically capable, I'm not a mechanic and I don't want to
spend lots of time figuring out how to install a junkyard engine and then
have it break down in the desert.
* I will be transforming this van into a submarine art car, with a fair
amount of extra weight, and the necessity of towing a trailer carrying
the nose and tail sections.
* I'll be driving up into the high Nevada desert so I could use the extra
power and reliability.
* I won't be driving the van that much, as I have another car to use.
I'll probably use it for long camping trips and hauling runs.

Here's what I'll pay to get the heads resealed and the transmission
rebuilt
     head reseal:             $1000-1600
     transmission rebuild:    $1210
     total:                   $2210-2810

Here's what I'll pay to have the Tiico conversion done and the
transmission rebuilt
     Tiico conversion         $3800
     conversion installation: $1750
     transmission rebuild:    $1070
     total:                   $6620

So It's approximately $4000 more.  My questions:

1) Any thoughts on the Tiico conversion?  Good, bad, ugly?

2) Any other conversion suggestions that can be done by a commercial
mechanic for a reasonable price (not too much time spent figuring out how
to make it work)?

3) Which engine would be the most reliable, re-headed 1.9L stock, or
Tiico?

4) Would the new engine be a selling point if and when I decide to sell
my van?  ie:  Could I expect to recoup part of the extra $4000 when I
sell?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
Christopher Schardt
415-558-9908