The fuel injection system from the 86-91 2.1l Vanagons is the same for
all these years.  There are small differences, however nothing that
actually effects the ability to swap newer ECUs or other control units
between years and the wiring harnesses can be swapped as well with no
difficulties.

There are some differences in the cooling system.  If you want to take a
look on my website at the coolant hose chart I have there for this year
range you will see that there were several changes after 87 and a
certain VIN number.  It is important to know about this when ordering
hoses.  However these changes are not so drastic as to not allow an
engine from an 86 to be transplanted into a 91.  Actually I have swapped
later model 2.1l engines into 84-85 Vanagons (which originally had 1.9l
engines) with ease.  I have heard of folks swapping 1.9l engines into
later model Vanagons as well (although this is not a good idea because
you lose 10 hp which is noticable).  So as long as you are swapping
waterboxer for waterboxer swap away.  There are some minor tweaks you
have to do if you swap between 2.1l and 1.9l but nothing more than a
person with average mechanical ability couldn't do.

Hope this helps,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
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Phone: (856)-327-4936
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Doug in Calif
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 12:53 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Engine fuel injection differences from 86 through 91

Are there any differences with the fuel injection or cooling system from
86 on?

Will any engine from any year work for any year van?

Thanks,

Doug