Robert Berkemer wrote:
> Just took a look at the diesel conversion for the vanagon from Overland
> Parts. Everything looks/sounds great however they indicate that the rear
> deck needs to be raised apparently to allow for a mounting system that
> prevents vibration and noise. One of my questions is....wasen't the
> original vanagon diesel mounted under the existing deck?

The factory turbo diesel setup for the Vanagon is different from the car
engines.  The difference is the injector pump.  To use a turbo diesel
injection pump from a car in the Vanagon, you need to modify the engine
cover or lower the engine.  The turbocharged engines are much quieter
than the normally aspirated models.  Normally aspirated VW diesels (1.6
and 1.9) fit under the engine lid just fine.

  Did this
> factory solution generate too much vibration or noise? Didn't one of the
> list members put a new diesel in his syncro westy (the yellow one) and
> manage to keep the deck height stock?

You're probably thinking of Michael Sullivan's TDI Syncro.  The TDI pump
doesn't have all the mechnical controls sitting on top of the pump.  It
has a computer that controls fuel delivery.

>
> And finally...regardless of deck height.....am I essentially just
> dreaming of ever having a diesel in my automatic transmission westy?

Probably.  Automatic transmissions for diesel engines are very different
from gasoline models due to the different power characteristics of the
engines.  If you figure out a way to do it, you will have lots of
friends here.

> 4000 rpm cruising can't match well with the diesel. VW is offering the
> diesel with automatics in the Beetle and Jetta......wonder if they came
> up with a new automatic just for the diesel?

Probably a modification of the gas transmissions.  That's how GM does it.

Mike Snow