I agree with Robert.   While I didn't convert an aircooled van, nor did I
complete the installation of the inline 4 gas VW motor that came with my 84
van....I did swap in another Jetta 2 liter ABA motor a few years back and I
couldn't be more pleased with how it works.     93 Jetta from Craigs List
cost me $300 and it took about 10hrs to swap over the head from my original
inline motor onto the ABA block and put it back into my van...
   Great power, good fuel consumption, cheap parts, simple to work...
Don Hanson

On Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 11:52 AM, Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@yahoo.com>wrote:

> I think that a 115 hp 2 liter inline 4 engine is a vast improvement over a
> 67 hp air-cooled engine.Worth the extra work : more power , heaters that
> actually work, improved engine life, better reliability. Of course there
> are many more tasks involved such as cutting a lower radiator hole in
> front, running pipes and hoses front to rear, removing the dash for a
> water-cooled airbox and heater core, splicing in a engine harness, and mods
> to the transmission. The air-cooled trans is ideal for the Diesel or gas
> conversion.
> True, a rebuild is easier, and that may be the reason to keep it that if
> it works for you. Since I converted in 1995, and upgraded to a 2 liter ABA
> in 1999, I'm running on the same engine nearly 12 years. Nothing but
> trouble were air-cooleds for me, except the venerable Bug.
> If your air-cooled has been running that long or longer , less power to ya!
> Robert1982 Westfalia 95 Golf engine
>
>
>
>
>