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Subject:2.1L WBX into '82 diesel vanagon?
From:Shawn Wright
Date:Tue, 28 Dec 2004 10:27:18 -0800

My new '82 Diesel Westy Christmas present now leaves me with a few
options for reaching my goal, which is to end up with a nice Westy with a
1.6TD engine installed. I have the following:

complete 1.6TD engine, ready to rebuild
stock '82 Westy with 1.6NA and stock 4sp trans
stock '88 Westy with 2.1L, 4sp trans

My preferred option is to swap engines - the 2.1L into the '82, and the
TD+diesel parts into the '88, possibly with the stock diesel trans, or using
the WBX with diesel bellhousing.

I've spent years reading about getting a diesel into my '88, but didn't
consider the possibility of moving my 2.1 into an '82. How feasible is this?
Some problems I can see are: coolant line differences, ECU wiring. The
'82 uses the old style fuse panel, so I am a little worried about the
electrical side of things.

The main reason I wish to keep the '88 is the nicer interior & seats, but if
the obstacles prove too much, I could be convinced to sell the '88 and
retrofit the '82. Both vans have well over 300k, but the '82 actually has less
rust overall, since it is a local van; the '88 is from Ontario.

Any opinions, advice appreciated...
--
Shawn Wright
I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School

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