Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 03:37:08 -0600
Reply-To: Budd Premack <bpremack@MN.RR.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Budd Premack <bpremack@MN.RR.COM>
Subject: 86 Drivetrain Into 82 Diesel?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
This question comes from fellow Listee Cary Chiang, who is having computer problems.
I have been reading the recent thread about swapping '86 front end onto
'82 Vanagons with great interest. I have a few somewhat-related
questions, that I hope someone can readily answer (Please forgive my
inability to search the archives; I currently have very limited
internet access time). I recently acquired an '82 diesel Vanagon
Adventurewagen. It is missing the engine, transmission, entire shifter mechanism,
cooling system, fuel system (except tank), interior heater/ventilation box, and
entire wiring harness. Basically it just has the interior, glass, brakes,
manual steering, and some of the clutch hydraulics. Because the body
was dented, I was going to remove the AW top and interior, and crush the
rest. However, upon reviewing the body condition of the '86 Westy Weekender
(ex-inline conversion, now missing engine, transmission, engine wiring
harness, brake/clutch pedal assembl! ies, and shifting mechanism) that I
was going install the AW parts onto, I have concluded that it may be better
to save the AW body instead, and install a complete Kennedy Subaru engine
/ waterboxer 4 spd. transmission setup into it (this drivetrain, along
with wiring harness, shifter assembly, cooling & fuel systems, etc. etc.
would come from my wrecked but still driveable '86 camper).
Questions--
The frame crossmember for the transmission mount seems to be located in
the same place as in a water-cooled van, but is shaped differently
(large hole on driver's side for AC heating duct?). Will a waterboxer
transmission mount (and related type shifter mechanism) bolt on without
modifications?
Are there any other body differences between early and later vans that
would require modification to my current Kennedy / Subaru setup? Are
the engine / transmission compartment dimensions the same?
I am considering retaining the non-power steering rack & knuckles to
avoid future rack leakage issues. I know there are differences in the design
of the knuckles, which affect the steering wheel leverage. Will the newer
design '86 front brake rotors, calipers, etc. fit onto the '82 non-power steering knuckles, or will I have to install the '86 knuckles, also?
Is there any benefit to trying to use the diesel fuel tank, instead of
the '86 gasoline one? (the fittings look different)
I am willing to live with the early-style slider door mechanism (may
actually be a plus, if I choose to install Jalousie windows), manual
steering, and (maybe) the weaker front brakes. Am I overlooking any
other "improvements" that an '86 body has?
Thanks in advance!
Cary
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