I understand it's the Diesel transaxle that makes it possible to use an
inline four block in Vanagons.

With that in mind, is it any easier to start with an early air cooled or
later water cooled Vanagon and just adding the nessesary parts?

Or is starting w/ a diesel Vanagon the best way to end up with a two
liter inline-4 block?

tia,
TBerk