[2002-09-30 14:45 -0700] keather6@cox.net (keather6@COX.NET) wrote:
> Volks, still ruminating over a replacement engine for my van, and got
> a line on a 83 jetta turbo diesel salvage car.  I've tried to find
> out if that 1.6L TD is an easy bolt in or not to my 82 diesel
> vanagon.  one source says no, not without modifying/customizing
> engine mounts, and the other source says yeah, no sweat, just drop it
> in.  whats the word?
>
> Kevin

Hi Kevin --

I have put a 1.6L TD in my '82 diesel vanagon, it's not too bad.  It's
definitely not a "plug-in" though.  The main issue is the turbo oil
return, which needs to be plumbed into the aluminum TD pan.  I had a
custom hose made and ran it around to the rear of the engine (FIF) and
TIG welded a fitting onto the aluminum pan.  It was a lousy idea but it
worked.  There have been a lot of discussions about how to run that hose,
because the exit height of the oil from the turbo is only marginally
above the oil level in the pan, and you don't want oil backing up into
the turbo.  Add to this the question of pressurization of the engine
internal space, thereby possibly causing the oil level in the turbo
drain to rise, and it gets complicated.  At this point I pretty much
think it's not worth worrying about, and the hose should be run the
shortest and simplest way, even if that means the hose enters the pan
below the oil level... but I only managed to put 50 miles on that engine
before I gave up and admitted it needs a rebuild bad.  So I don't really
know nuthin.

You have to mess with the engine mounts if you don't have Quantum
manifolds.  The interesting thing here is that I just happen to have the
Quantum stuff, because of that TD that used to be in my van.  But I want
to put the TD in my '82 rabbit, and to do that, I need...  Jetta
manifolds!  Could be a good deal for both of us!

Cheers,

        Gary