HI Jon,
    AL V8? this is the hot setup. There is a guy in euorpe
somewhere who did a V8 swap. HE had to cut out the rear
cross panel in the very back of the engine compartment.
other than that, I think it's a great idea. Fuel milage will
be a problem. Fuel injection would help. I would look for a Syncro
to make it worth your while...

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler

On Thu, 30 Apr 1998, Jon Christensen wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I haven't posted about my swap projects lately, so this is an update of
> sorts.
>
> I acquired an 82 Diesel Vanagon about a year ago and also acquired an 86
> Jetta 1.8 shortblock and a complete 89 Fox 1.8 motor with the intentions
> of doing a Diesel to Gas conversion.  Also acquired is an 84 Vanagon 4
> speed.  Other than finding out that the Diesel Vanagon actually runs
> pretty good, I have not proceeded much further with the project.
>
> Meanwhile I picked up 2 215 cubic inch V-8's from a former buggy building
> friend of mine.  For those of you not familiar with these motors, They
> were used in the early 60's in Buick Skylarks and Old F-85's as an upgrade
> to the V-6's offered in their "compact" cars.  They are made of aluminum
> and one even has a 4 barrel manifold.  Around 1970 or so, British Leyland
> bought the rights to the Buick version and put them in their Land Rovers
> etc.  Yes, the same motor design used in the new Land Rover/Range Rover
> you see running around today!
>
> Now that I have the alum. V-8's that Kennedy Eng. sells kits for, I
> am questioning my hoarding of the VW 1.8 upright H2o motors and the good
> running Diesel Vanagon (100k miles).  I would like to find a nice 86-91
> Vanagon with a bad drivetrain in the Midwest for this new swap project and
> sell the 1.8 motors and Diesel Vanagon.  I will be keeping the 84 4speed.
> If anyone is interested in these items, lemme know before I put a formal
> ad together.  BTW, I live in Kansas where the emission laws etc. are yet
> to be in place.  If anyone knows of a used Kennedy 215ci to Vanagon kit,
> lemme know.  TIA
> ---
> Jon Christensen
> ~Certified VW Nut     Check Out the Vintage VW Club of America:
> Vvwca@primenet.com        http://www.concentric.net/~Vvwca
>