An friend in another city is looking for a westy or a vanagon to fix up
as a camper (he's an excellent cabinetmaker).

He's found a couple of things I thought were worth asking about:

An 85 westy, said by the garage who is representing the owner in the
sale to be a Joker, full westy package with diesel engine as original
equipment. There have been a couple of unfortunate mods such as a fuel
tank in the closet, etc. but it starts and runs well but runs hot on
long highway hauls. They replaced the water pump and did a couple of
other things to remedy the running hot, but none of those things
worked. Asking price on the car is $2000.

Also he has found at a thrift shop an 85 van for $1000. Body is great,
seats are torn up and carpets are missing. Said to run but both (???)
batteries are out and he couldn't crank it with one battery. Obviously
there is something fishy here, but if it does start and run is it worth
the thousand knowing there will be the upholstery work and carpets to
buy?

I haven't seen either of these and can't go look at them.  This is all
second hand information from someone who has just become interested,
buying from people who don't know what they're talking about. But any
guidance would be appreciated.

Jim