Gary wrote:
<< I'm investing $3500 in a TDI
to put in my syncro westy -- it'd take a lot of gas savings to cover that
cost.  >>

Assuming the reason you'll be installing the TDi is because you need a
new engine anyhow - subtract the cost of a new waterboxer and you're
only talking about an incremental cost of about $1500 (based on your
$3500 figure). If one were to assume - validity aside -  the cost of
diesel and petrol both remain constant at $1.25/gal, and that a
petrol Vanagon travels 18 mpg vs. a diesel at 25 mpg, you'd recoup
the additional cost in about 78,000 miles of use. This mileage figure
would decrease as gas prices increased. Of course, if you were
installing a diesel strictly for the cost savings, it's a pretty
poor alternative to the other investment possibilities currently
available for your $1500!

Doug Fitz-Randolph
Yarmouth, ME
'90 Syncro