Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 10:44:30 -0500
Reply-To: David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject: Re: Fwd: 83 diesel into 84 Vanagon
In-Reply-To: <20030324235906.68420.qmail@web13707.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
On Mon, 24 Mar 2003, Paul Archibald wrote:
> 83 diesel into 84 Vanagon
> Any advice on this conversion would be appreciated.
>
> I have replaced the oil pump and oil pan and would like to
> test the motor before installation.
> 1) Is there a fuel cutoff solenoid? where? Does 12V+ open
> it?
Yes, it's a screw stud on top of the injector pump.
> 2) Proposed test procedure: engine mated to diesel vanagon
> bellhousing, and/or Rabbitt tranny & starter, 12V, fuel
> supply - any other connections or steps needed?
Energize the glow plugs for 10 to 20 seconds before operating the starter
(assuming they're fast plugs). 48 amps at 12V. You can use a jumper
cable to the bus bar if you're careful not to short them to the block!
Disconnect the plugs when the engine starts. This engine vibrates a lot
at idle, make sure your test stand can take it without collapsing. ;)
> When installing into vanagon:
> 3) How can you tell the 82 from the 83 engine carriers - it
> appears we may have one set of each?
I'm sure someone will chime in with the details, but I think the '83
mounts the engine farther back. Something about the '83 5-speed tranny
being longer? I could be mistaken, though.
> Any modifications needed? tranny, engine mounts etc?
If it's a 1.6 diesel the gas tranny's gear ratios may be a bit long. It's
not a very torquey engine. Depends partly on how hilly an area you live
in.
If you don't have the diesel Vanagon cooling system hoses you may have an
"interesting" time fabricating a way to get everything hooked up...at
least one of these hoses is NLA. (If you do fab something up, lemmee know
what you come up with...I'm looking for options to replace those hoses
when mine wear out.)
> 5) Besides the starter and alternator what electrical
> connections are required, is there a convenient wire
> (ignition/coil) that can be used for a fuel cutoff if
> present?
It's just 12V at a fairly low current...any 12V switched wire in the
engine bay should work.
> 6) Glow plug - I plan to install a dash mounted push
> button.
You could do this, and it won't be that difficult, but the glow plug relay
system isn't *that* complicated. If you do go with a manual system, use
the pushbutton to trigger a relay in the engine compartment so you don't
have to run heavy wire all the way to the front and then back.
Diesel vans have the battery in the engine compartment. If you don't
relocate it there you should probably upgrade the battery wiring to handle
the extra current without too much voltage drop. The starter and the glow
plugs are run *simultaneously*, so the load is quite heavy.
David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si
