I think Malcom may not have noticed that you have a diesel van.  The
diesel engine does use some short pieces of rubber fuel hose for return
lines, but they are not under great pressure.  The steel injector lines
between the pump and the injectors are amazingly durable.  I can't
imagine one going bad unless the van was totally destroyed in a wreck,
though you may have rust problems where you live.  I would replace the
rubber hoses at the first opportunity.  Leaking diesel makes a huge mess
of the engine compartment.

The crankshaft seals are relatively easy to replace by following the
instructions in the Bentley.  Unfortunately, you have to remove the
timing components from the front and the transmission at the back of the
  engine to gain access to them.

I wish I could speak intelligently about the limited slip transmisson.
I've never seen or heard of one where I live in southern California.

Mike Snow
1982 Westfalia diesel 5 speed
1983 ASI diesel camper

Malcolm Stebbins wrote:
>>So far I have done:  -water pipes (changed the rotting metal ones for
>>the plastic ones) -heater matrix -new fuel tank (in place of rotting
>>one) -engine oil flush & change -brakes (checked - seem ok) -cam belt
>>(with help of a a mechanic friend), timing etc
>
>
> Welcome to the list.  One blatant item is that you have not replaced is
> the fuel lines.  Vanagain.com sells a kit with all of the pieces.  This is
> important as the fuel lines are OLD and likely cracked with heat and
> age and are under HIGH pressure.  Faulty fuel lines is the the #1
> cause of engine box fires.  Do it sooner rather than later.  Malcolm
>