Well, the time has finally come. Since it will soon be cold here in Maryland, I have 
started working on my engine conversion project. As a refresher for those who do not 
know, last Feb. I purchased a 1982 Diesel Westy with a sick engine, with the sole 
purpose of upgrading to a gas-powered engine.

I have also decided to chronicle this conversion on my WWW page at 
www.relitech.com/tomc/tomc.htm .

Sat, Oct 19: Assemble foldable engine hoist just purchased from Harbor Freight Tools. 
While not nesc for engine removal from van, will definitely come in handy when removing 
the 1.8l gas engine from the donor 1986 Golf.

Monday, Oct 21: Received my new Kodak DC-20 digital camera, and immediately started 
snapping pictures and basically acting foolish. Started to install the software on my PC 
to download the pictures from the camera to my hard drive, but I need a CD-ROM to 
install the software. My CD-ROM drive is at work..GRRRRR! I hate waiting to play!

Tuesday, Oct 22: Bring home CD-ROM, install software. Image quality from camera is far 
better than expected! Upload several images to new web page.

Wednesday, Oct 23: Roll van forward on driveway, remove accumulated topsoil from under 
the van's parking spot. 1st time van has moved in months! Hose off driveway and prepare 
to get busy.

Thursday, Oct 24: Remove splash pan from under engine. Drain oil. Drain coolant (what 
was left, that is..). Disconnect battery. Since I will remove the engine and tranny 
together, I undo shift linkages and disconnect CV joints. Start removing coolant hoses 
and wiring, paying careful attention to label absolutely nothing. :) While laying under 
engine, ponder exhaust system possibilities and tenatively decide to reuse stock diesel 
exhuast. Sure, I will sacrifice power, but it will still be better than the 48hp I had 
before!

Hopefully the engine will be out of the van, and on a stand by Sat. Then I can start 
pulling the engine from the Golf.

Thanks for listening!
TomC
tcarrington@relitech.com
82 Diesel Westy (changing soon...)
65 Notchback