Hi, this is one of the main reasons i bought a diesel myself.  I dont
know the answers
to any of your questions but i'll be following along wanting to learn
the same stuff.
I have heard from a shop in Ft Collins colo, that the TD or TDI will go
easily in an allready diesel vanagon., and will also work with the
conversion kit.  Supposedly there are all ready a few folks in colorado
running on veggie oil.

On Tuesday, July 23, 2002, at 03:37 PM, James B Robinson wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'm starting a project to build a diesel Vanagon that will ultimately
> run
> on vegetable oil. Project notes at
> http://ratwerks.com/zope/wiki/GreaseVan
>
> My thinking right now is to buy a late model Vanagon and install one of
> the beefier 4 cylinder diesel plants with a conversion kit. I have some
> diesel conversion questions:
>
> Can I use a stock standard gasoline transmission?
>
> Can I use a stock automatic transmission?
>
> Are there some years that convert better than others?
>
> Are there trade offs besides power between the NA, TD and TDI motors?
>
> Are there trade offs besides increased rear deck height between the
> 15 degree kits and the 50 degree kits?
>
> Is there a good shop in the San Francisco area to do the diesel
> conversion work? I sent some email to VolksCafe (listed as an Overland
> distributor) but they begged off doing the diesel conversion.
>
> And, if anybody has a line on a nice late model Vanagon with a blown
> motor or existing conversion I'd like to hear about it.
>
> I'll keep the project page updated as I go. Feel free to add your own
> comments to the page, it's a wiki!
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> [ Jim Robinson -- System Administrator -- ratwerks.com ]
> I am a boomer. My generation looked nuclear annihilation
> in the eye and said "No thanks, I'd rather drive a BMW."
>