hi Don,
no apologies needed.
I saw both sites, bookmarked 'em under 'inline four' engine conversions ..
nice stuff.

sounds like you're gonna have fun.

my 16V exhaust headers are twin pipe, large flange with about 6 studs around
the outside ...
I make my own engine conversion exhaust systems ...
in conjunction with a 'real' exhaust welder/fabricator guy ...
it's gonna be a bit of trick to get it all to stay tucked up and curve
around diesel vanagon style, but we'll get something super elegant there
'when' that is, I getarountuit.

too many projects, but what fun !
post pics on the group site ,
or you could on my yahoo group site .
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/turbovans/?yguid=116614865

there was a 1.8 block at my local pick n' pull I was gonna get for cheap ,
but I think the whole car got recylced recently.

scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 9:28 AM
Subject: VW Inline 4 motor 'revise and re-install' update, (long)

> I've been gathering parts  for about a week and a half now to swap out the
> 1.8L VW inline 4 block in my 84 5sp Van for a 2.0 liter block.  The 'new'
> 94
> Jetta block (with it's supposedly better forged crankshaft and under
> piston
> oil-squirter system) is now sitting ready to go on my new Harbor Freight
> engine stand ($39..how they do that?)
>  I'm not a mechanic.  I've been involved ($) with building some motors but
> I've paid to have the important complex stuff done by 'real' guys.  This
> motor  project is teaching me some of what I never had to actually
> understand before, paying someone else to know.   The Vanagon/Inline 4
> seems
> a  perfect 'school-project' vehicle...inexpensive parts, easy to work on,
> etc.
>  My van's been running great.  I have always has a slight oil leak (rear
> main seal?) and the P.O. who did the engine swap was sort of 'sloppy' with
> the details...many of which I have 'cleaned-up' some as I go along.  I've
> had this vehicle as my main ride for about 2yrs.  Recently I scored the
> Jetta motor on my local Craig's List for $100 complete so rather than
> replacing the seal on my 1.8liter, I am replacing lots of stuff..."while I
> have the motor out"  Mainly using the 2.0 liter block with all the
> existing
> 1.8 liter parts.
>
>   The inline 4 VW gas motors--they evolve.  They've been around in the
> same
> basic form for years and there's lots of information on how to work em.
> They're like the Small Block Chevy motor used to be...
>
>  My Game Plan is to gather all the stuff and have things planned to
> minimize Down-time for the van.  I'm now ready to go.
>  I've found some good parts and information sources along the way.
>  From Techtonics Tuning (Oregon) I found all the parts to swap on my
> Digifant 1.8 liter head and engine management system.  Very helpful guys.
> They sell a bushing kit to swap in my old distributor and another belt and
> idler pulley to easily eliminate the power steering/AC serpentine belt
> from
> the Jetta III block.
>  German Auto Parts supplied me with the seals and gaskets..Quick delivery,
> knowledgeable customer service.  Pleasant to deal with.
>   I found this site for my "to be fabricated later" exhaust system.
> http://www.spdexhaust.com/
> The Jetta III head has a dual outlet exhaust manifold that is said to
> deliver significantly better power than the single outlet Jetta II (or
> maybe
> I currently have a diesel 1.6 N.A manifold....) exhaust that  I'll be
> installing, temporarily with  my current head with the existing exhaust in
> place and then fabricating up a Merge Collector around all the suspension
> and engine mounts after I can see how it should fit.
>  www.siliconeintakes.com is another very interesting site I came across
> while looking for some parts to clean up the intake the PO devised.  I
> have
> not bought from them but a quick search through the site...man, they got
> lottsa stuff I could use...
>  I should really have a Blog page for this kinda stuff...sorry list for
> the
> length of this post..
>
>  Don Hanson