Including answers I received privately, a group 41 battery is best to
buy.  I'll check for the second battery, too.  Thanks to all.

I tried to be too concise with my engine question, though, so I'll
clarify it.  FYI--I've been on the web since it's inception so I know
how to search, including Listserv archives, so I've found dozens of
sites and email groups dedicated to VW vans.

I know I have a 1.9L.  Since I don't know it's condition and have
time, I plan to either rebuild it or replace it.  I spent time surfing
the plethora of vanagon web sites and learned of options such as
dropping in Subaru, Audi, and bigger VW engines.  My recollection of
one particular site was a table that listed various years of vans in
the left column and feasible alternatives in another column.  For
instance, I locate 1.9L wasserboxers in the left column and read
across to find the possibilities.  Trying to backtrack 2 weeks later I
can't find that site, but found the table listed below dedicated to VW
and Audi engines.  It's quite possible it doesn't exist and my mind
has simply blended information found in several places.  If it doesn't
exist then I'll just review all the web pages I can find and maybe
consolidate information to share.

http://www.volkswagen.org/vanagon/engineswap.htm