> 
> Sunday I am going to replace a water pump. Having never done one on a
> Vanagon are there any tricks or tips on this adventure that anyone can
> offer? And how much interference should I take off (AC, etc.) and are the
> seals sufficient?
> 

Taking off and putting on the pulley can be a pain. I use two wrenches to 
loosen (a box and a socket). Once the first is loose, I take it almost all 
the way out and use it as a bracing point for the box wrench while loosening 
the second and third. 
Putting it back is even easier. Thread all three in by hand, then brace the 
pulley against the engine case using a box-open combination wrench by 
putting the box end BEHIND the pulley over the tip of one of the three 
bolts, and the lower "prong" of the open end into the engine lift point hole 
up top above the crank pulley.
Pics here:
<http://bange.us/wrenchtrick-loosen1.JPG>
<http://bange.us/wrenchtrick-loosen2.JPG>
<http://bange.us/wrenchtrick-front.JPG>
< http://bange.us/wrenchtrick-rear.jpg>

Unbolting the AC compressor definitely makes life easier. I removed mine 
completely, bracket and all; but it was completely dead and I never put it 
back.