Eric:

The Vanagon/T3 engine is an “evolution” of the air cooled engine used in previous generations of Type-2 and other rear engine VWs (Type-IV, etc) … as such, it is pretty much an air-cooled pancake with a water jacket.

The T3 was available elsewhere in the world with inline engines (1.6TD in Europe, I4/i5 petrol in South Africa).

Things become a little more muddied when you consider later Brazilian versions of the Type-2 T2 (loaf) used an in-line (i4) water-cooled engine and not the flat four from the T3.

> On 24-Oct-2017, at 21:13, Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> 
> Hi folks,
> 
> This is a different kind of Vanagon Engine question.
> 
>        I’ve often wondered why the Vanagon has a different engine then other VW offerings of the same vintage.  If people are putting in engines from rabbits, and other cars and they seem to work what was the advantage in having a whole different engine for the Vanagon?  Was the engine a money savor or was it considered stronger in some way for the van?  It seems like they could save money by just using one engine for many cars.  It seems like that is done for many car companies today.
> 
> So, anyone know why the water boxer in the Vanagon and not the same engine as other VW cars? 
> 
> Or do other VW cars have the same motor in them?
> 
> I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone saying I’m going to upgrade my VW by putting a Vanagon motor in it.
> 
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 85 GL Westfalia