In a message dated 12/1/99 9:02:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, Zcoop1@AOL.COM
writes:

<< I just bought my first Westie!  It is an 82 in good mechanical shape.  I am
 wondering if it is possible or for that matter even a good idea to try put a
 water-cooled engine in it? >>

Congratulations on your first one!

From your description, it sounds like your van is running well.  Why not just
drive the aircooled until it dies and then re-evaluate.  The aircooled vans
can run very well.  I really wouldn't spend that kind of dough unless you
really need to, like when the aircooled does go.

As far as the conversion, I really don't think it would be that big of a
deal, but you would have to find a lot of parts to make it happen.  The
engine would really have to be complete with the computer etc. etc. etc.

When I bought my '82 Diesel (watercooled of course), several people
recommended that for longer trips the watercooled would be more reliable, but
even now i'm not sure this is the case.  (A blown radiator or coolant hose
isn't going to strand you in an aircooled machine) It is true that water
cooled engines last a lot longer, but they also cost a lot more to rebuild.
In reflection, I think that a well-cared for air-cooled will be just as
reliable as a watercooled that is also well cared for, on any given day.

My .02

Stefan Weir