For answers to this question from someone WHO HAS ACTUALLY DONE
IT.....please go to the SubaruVanagon Yahoo Group, join, and ask your
question there.....

I think its much easier STARTING with a water cooled vanagon.  A conversion
is a big project by itself...and converting from AC to WC is another whole
project in itself.....but there are several of our members who have done
it...either for economic reasons....or a big love for their current AC
Vanagon.

I'm a real estate broker who had never before done any auto mechanics more
difficult than replacing a clutch....and I converted my 90 Syncro Westy.

15,000+ miles later...I still smile every time I drive it..perhaps with a
touch of the pride that a hobby boatbuilder or experimental aircraft
builder has from piloting something they had a hand in building
themselves......but it wasn't easy doing it all by myself and I wished for
experienced help many times in the process.....(and almost everything Kim
Bennon said in the post before me was true in my case...i.e. tools I didn't
have, bought or rented...many trips to the hardware/parts store/ skinnd
knuckles and greasy fingernails......and quite a few Sunday afternoons.

.....that's why I started the SubaruVanagon Group....now three years
later... with 1200+ members and over 150 finished conversions...that I know
of...and many improvements/upgrades to the conversion parts and process.

Would I do another one....for three years I said NO!....but curiosity's
getting the better of me and I just stumbled onto a couple of inexpensive
Subaru parts cars....so I'm about to start another one.  Will someone pour
cold water on my head......maybe it'll pass.....

So join our SubaruVanagon Group and get your questions answered.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/subaruvanagon/

Warren Chapman
Moderator
SubaruVanagon Group
Yahoo Groups