It really seems that a I4 Gasoline engine conversion would be a better
choice although I wouldn't care to do one myself.
I'm just an air head that has great respect for the little Type IV
Aircooled. My 912e Porsche has one and it's wonderful car even Jake Raby
says so.

Stan Wilder
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "mark drillock" <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2004 9:21 PM
Subject: Re: diesel conversion

> 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?
> >
> >