No, you can't swap them other than to the same VW engine type of the 3
North American 4 speed engine models.

There are some things to do so you could swap them but as far as just
bolting them up as is, no.

Your buddy is on the right track as the Zetec won't work with the diesel
bellhousing. He will have other issues too and needs to find out a few
things.

80-83 -aircooled (early linkage and a more forward mounting position)

83-91 -waterboxer (later linkage and a later mounting position)

82 - diesel (early linkage, different bellhousing pattern, shorter input
shaft, very low gearing, more forward mounting position and steeper
mounting angle)

Mark

Jonce Fancher wrote:
> Hi all
> I found a 89 Vanagon with a Bad trans. ( btw all are 4 speed questions)
>
> I have a trans from a 84.
> what if any differences are there in the trans between 80 up to 91?
> I know the Diesels are different in the bell housing but Im asking
> about the air to waters and anthing in between.
> I also found a cheap 83 Air vanagon and a buddy needs a Trans for his
> 82 Diesel ( he is doing a zetec ) we thought or think we can get the
> 83 pull the trans and stuff it in his 82 Diesel. His Diesel trans is
> fine so not sure why we need to do it but, this is where we stand.
>
> So I guess what I want to know is can 4 spd manual trans swap from
> vanagon to vanagon without any OR many issues??
>
> Thanks Jonce
>