Not sure how Art did it but he didn’t modify either the drive train or the hight of the lid.  He did some creative work.  He also used a carburetor and I almost think it was not VW.  Amazing what creative thinkers can come up with.

A jetta engine in a 81 would be a pretty good example of creative thinking!

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto 
  

> On Aug 26, 2016, at 7:21 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> The 1.8 counterflow head type VW engine was a pretty neat upgrade for
> some diesel Vanagon owners. I installed a 2.0 ABA Jetta engine in my
> formerly air cooled '81 Westy.
> Quite a learning curve. Engine is still running well.
> This swap will obviously be much less work. Haven't decided exactly
> what I'll do but I'll
> likely run Bosch Motronic and likely run the ABA as is. The downside
> to that for the 2wd
> is that the engine lid has to be modified, or raised, to accommodate
> the intake manifold.
> One fellow worked around that by lowering the drivetrain. I'd consider
> doing that.
> It's not that big a deal. The 1.8T swappers have to raise the engine
> lid and if I recall,
> lower the drivetrain as well.
> 
> Neil.
> 
> On 8/26/16, Eric Caron <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:
>> Yes,
>> 
>>        A friend of mine did that to his Westfalia.  Interestingly, it was a
>> aircooled van and he added the cooling system.  He ran it for many years
>> until the body finally rusted out last year.
>> the engine was from his own used 85 Quantum wagon. Last we heard the motor
>> and transmission were powering another vanagon.
>> 
>> 
>> Eric Caron
>> 85 GL Auto Westfalia
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Neil n
> 
> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
> 
> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
> 
> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
> 
> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>