I suggest the I-4 route to smooth power and basic reliability ( not to
mention  being less polluting than 80's era diesel engines are ).

and you could/should get on that group - the one for I-4 Conversions.
If someone else doesn't send you that link..
let me know and I will.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Shawn Wright" <shawngwright@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 10:17 AM
Subject: White Westy convoy, I-4 gasser advice

> Hello all,
>
> A quick comment on our recent trip from Victoria to Calgary and back -
> generally, we noticed far fewer Westies along the way than in previous
> years, but the trip started out with a white Westy convoy - we were
> leading
> two other white Westies along Hwy 1 from Hwy 10 until we turned off at
> Chilliwack... we were joined by one of the convoy at Starbucks... :-)
>
> The bad news is my 1.6TD engine seems to have developed a h/g leak, losing
> both oil and coolant at an increasing rate. It still runs fine, so it's
> possible the leak is elsewhere, but it appears to be coming from the h/g -
> oil around #1/2 and coolant from #3/4 area. I'd like more power, so am
> considering either an early TDI, or an I-4 gasser, such as the 2.0L ABA.
> I'm
> interested in anyone who has gone with the ABA and how it's working for
> them. I have the stock '83 DV mounting along with the DX 5 speed, but my
> rubber gearing is altered about 10% with 215/70R16 tires.
>
> Thanks
>
> --
> Shawn Wright
> shawngwright@gmail.com