Neil, did you notice the diesel Westy that Dave Marshall is selling for
$650?

Just asking.........

On Nov 9, 2007 12:42 PM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey Don.
>
> For sure the wisdom of the list is to find a WBX or better yet diesel
> van for a conversion. And I totally agree. It's more work what I'm
> doing. Even putting in the heater core took a lot of time. (but then I
>  did other mods to air box while in there) But for me, this is
> worthwhile. Especially since I already did a bunch of work. i.e. I
> rebuilt/replaced wiper shafts/linkages, fan, heat box, booster, MC,
> pedal cluster, repaired clutch pedal, clutch housing, rear brakes,
> shocks etc.
>
> But....
>
> For anyone contemplating doing an engine conversion, I can say from
> experience that air cooled is not a great way to start. Unless of
> course you've found a cherry rust free for an awesome price. But if
> you can find one of those, you can likely spend a bit more and get a
> WBX Westy.
>
> The good news is that I know this van quite well. I"ve learned a lot,
> and the body should last long enough.
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
> On 11/9/07, Don Hanson <dhanson@gorge.net> wrote:
> > Thanks for the thoughts.
> >   I didn't know the castings had changed on those tiny motors around
> model
> > year '99.  Also I didn't consider finding used diesel vanagon parts to
> be a
> > very difficult or expensive proposition, possibly.  To my way of
> thinking,
> > finding a junk-er diesel or most of one and then swapping in the gas
> motor
> > and Digifant II stuff (if your van didn't already come with it) seems
> pretty
> > 'do-able' by even a very 'weak' 'enthusiast'...Not much 're-inventing'
> > involved...more of a remove, remember, and replace stuff from one to the
> > other.
> >     I removed the head and swapped camshafts on my 8valve 1.8 liter in
> about
> > 2.5 hours, with the motor still in the van..so swapping the diesel parts
> to
> > the gas parts can't be huge work...And having hoses fit (sometimes) the
> same
> > air cleaner, no re-engineering of the interior, stuff like that...that
> seems
> > like it might kinda more involved when you go the 15 degree route..
> >   Of course, with the Rabbit-style gas motor, you aren't looking at more
> > than probably 35 hp increase over the WBX.  But dang!  if you are
> starting
> > with access to a diesel van, you could have a trouble free Vanagon for
> very
> > reasonable money and not as much work as I see Neil contemplating with
> his
> > swap...
> >
> >   Don Hanson
> >
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
> "Jaco"  (Bustorius)
>
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/