All the talk about various engines that work well in a Vanagon, and why they do..which is best, etc etc.  But what nobody has said, perhaps because we all know but never even find it remarkable any longer because we've been around them so much...

  The Vanagon is a great vehicle, one of a kind pretty much.  It will do an amazing job no matter which motor you stuff into it, do the job with little fuss, be easy to work on. easy to park.  easy to live with day to day..

  I think that is amazing.  I've been pleasantly surprised many times as I dig into new (to me) areas of my van..Sure, there are faults, like with any mass produced vehicle..but compared to most, it's a truly fine piece of equipment..
  
  Subaru, Z-teck, Ford, Porsche, even a 49 Studebaker motor, you would still have a great vehicle..
  Don Hanson