I doubt that Skip has even driven a Westy with any of the engine
conversions he is considering. How could he possibly know at this point
if what he ends up with will be what he wanted? I have done plenty of
other crazy stuff to Vanagons and converting an aircooled to watercooled
is mostly just a matter of having all the pieces as well as the
willingness to go through with it. I have no doubt that Vic at ZS Motors
has the parts, knowledge, and experience to do a turbo diesel conversion
to an aircooled. I first visited his old shop in Orange CA about 8 years
ago and he was deeply involved in doing turbo diesel conversions to
Vanagons even back then. If anyone can do a clean conversion of this
type it would be him. He has recently imported from Europe many parts
for diesel and turbo diesel Vanagon including whole TD engines. The real
question is how long it will take and what will the final cost be when
Skip drives it away on his trip. I hope it works out for Skip whatever
he decides.

Mark

Mark Edwards wrote:

>.....
>Looks like Skip is gonna do it. Anyone ever done this kind of conversion
>before? Lots of speculation, negative thinking, and parroting of ideas,
>but he is not reinventing the wheel, and seems willing to spend and wait.
>Gonna be just what he wants, when its all done, and isn't that what all of
>us strive for?
>
>