In a message dated 12/19/03 9:07:55 PM Eastern Standard Time,
mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

> These don't fit newer Vanagons. I was at my mechanics today, adding a new
> fuel rail, and he had an old steel engine lid. It has a curved lip on its
> underside, around the edge, that the rubber gasket that goes all the way
> around the hole the lid fits into, and the lid won't seat. This curved part
> makes it about 3/8" too "big" to fit down into the hole all the way around
> so the lid won't fasten with the two rear fasteners. Too bad.
> Bob Stevens
>

i have a steel lid from a aircooled van in my '84 wolfsburg waterboxer
vanagon as i write this, and has been in there for the past 4 years.   fits fine.
seals fine, and the latching tabs work fine.  ive sold steel lids to others
with newer vans, never got a email back saying they didnt fit or anything.   i
have '87, '89, and '90 parts vans, i will check tomorrow if the steel lid fits
them, tho i dont see why not.  there was no change in the size of the engine
opening hole from 80-91 that ive ever been aware of.
chris