Hi Mike,

I think you're a bit optimistic.

That 914 engine will cost a lot more $$$ to rebuld and will not be as
reliable in the vanagon as for the 914 it was designed for. Pushing a
heavy vehicle will generate a LOT of heat in those heads, which they
are not designed to absorb.  And the 914/912 engine tin isn't going
to fit the vanagon, either.

I had a 914 engine in a 1972 westy for a year, and it was a blast...
right up until the day a rod found its way out of the crank-case.

If you're looking for reliable air-cooled performance, go with the
stock 2L and get some of the boston-bob heads with improved valves
and seats installed.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/75/77/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
www.busesofthecorn.com

On 20-Sep-06, at 10:09 AM, Mike Rouby wrote:

> Have your friend do himself (herself) a favor.  Get a late 914 2.0
> (or 912E) engine.  Rated at 90+ hp, it will leave the 67hp stocker
> in the dust.  On the negative side, the 914 engine uses solid
> adjustable lifters vs. the Vanagon's hydraulic ones.
>
>
> Budd Premack <bpremack@MN.RR.COM> wrote:
>   A friend of mine is getting an 81 Westy from which the original
> 2.0 air cooled was removed. He is willing to rebuild a bad engine.
> Does anyone have an engine or thoughts on where one can be obtained
> at reasonable cost. Since the original engine is missing, the cover
> plate sheet metal is also needed.
>
> Budd Premack
> 91 GL, 86 Syncro
> Land of Sky-Blue Waters