I have an 84 with a 1.8 inline gas motor and the diesel tranny. It's been doing fine for me for two years now and about 35k miles of hard driving. Since I moderated my driving habits recently for fuel economy, I get 25mpg. With your diesel, I think all you need to switch over is a Kennedy Engineering adapter, a small bit of sheet metal work in the engine compartment and some intake stuff..Not a complex swap at all and you can find 1.8l gas motors cheaply. Almost a 'plug-n-play' swap with your current van. If you decide to go that route, I can send pics of how mine was done..give you some ideas on the intake plumbing and the exhaust I had done ($35 welding labor and a Magnaflow SS can). You being in Cali. you may have CARB issues I don't know about, but the 1.8 gas transplant will be a big improvement over your underpowered diesel. Saw some at my local parts seller's for around $300. Don Hanson |
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