In a message dated 10/14/2009 8:27:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
pmsloan@SHAW.CA writes:

Hi  everyone,

I'm a newbie with minimal auto mechanical experience, and  would appreciate
some help/opinions from you. The question  is:

If a 1982 Westy has been converted from diesel to gasoline  (1.8L engine
taken from a 1987 VW Jetta - the water cooled, fuel injected  CIS engine)
will that set up be easy or difficult for a mechanic to work  on?

I'm looking to buy a Westy for myself, and this opportunity  has come up.
Good vehicle; good price. The thing is, since I'm a retired  geologist, I
will be driving the van on secondary and forestry roads (no  problem) and
I'm
thinking that if a mechanical problem comes up, it's  likely to be treated
by
the nearest small town mechanic. I don't know how  complicated the diesel to
gas conversion is, and a friend (who doesn't know  a lot about VWs) tells me
that the re-routed connections would be difficult  and expensive for an
unfamiliar mechanic to work with. So I am putting my  faith in the people on
this list. You certainly sound like you know a lot  about the insides of a
Westfalia. Could you give me your opinions,  please?

Thanks,

Pat in Vancouver

hello Pat   I just did a IL 1.8 jetta motor in my 85 westy. works  great
and am very happy with it.  I used a 92 jetta with EFI . I have  worked on a
bunch of CSI motors over the years and when working they work  good.  I don't
prefer that system as much as EFI. Do not let it sit for a  long time as
the system can gum up , fuel dizzy, warm up reg. etc will crap out  and these
parts are getting hard to find and $$$$ .Other problems are the high
pressure needed for this system and check valve at the pump to hold the system  up
for starting. The motor itself is tough as they come.   later   mark
dearing  salem import service  salem,  va