I've got some good engines at reasonable prices and no core required.
http://www.engineceramics.com/vw/vwparts.htm
I assisted in converting a 82 Air Cooled Westy over to a water cooled Subaru
and it was a six month project and over 4K$ very quickly.

Stan Wilder
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Skip Emmert" <skip@SKIPEMMERT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 2:38 PM
Subject: diesel conversion

> Thanks for the suggestions that we scrap the van, but this 1980 has 80K
> original miles and is in great shape other than the engine.  I suspect
> that we wouldn't get much for it, though, without an engine.  With another
> van costing $7000, I'll come out cheaper replacing the engine and I won't
> have to find out that the 'new' van had an impending engine failure.  Not
> to mention that selling mine, buying a new one, and getting everything
> registered would take maybe as long as fixing this one.  Keeping this one
> really appears to be the cheapest and most expedient path.  Besides, now
> I'm emotionally attached.  :)
>
> So, back to the question at hand.  Does anyone have a reliable source to
> do a gas to diesel conversion in the Southwest that could start sooner
> than three weeks?  Any additional info from diesel owners would be
> appreciated as well.
>
> Thanks,
> Skip