Date:         Mon, 5 Jan 2009 06:18:50 -0800
Reply-To:     Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: vanagon, 83 watercooled diesel
In-Reply-To:  <009b01c96f08$916051c0$6701a8c0@deeke5aef7afa1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Ken has explained the Diesel Vanagon to a tee, but there is also this: 
The Diesel Vanagon you probably already know lends itself to a VW watercooled inline four engine conversion.
 
I bought a 1982 Westfalia Diesel in 1995 and converted it to a 100 hp 1.8 Jetta engine.   After a rod bearing fried in 1999, I changed to a '95 Jetta/Golf engine rated at 115 hp and have been driving it ever since. 
 
Now at over 235, 000 on this engine and using oil , and having lower mpg and power, I'm considering rebuilding or replacing it with another .
 
This '95 engine has proven that it is a workhorse and it is the only VW engine that has been this good to me. 10 years from a 4 cylinder engine that has done double-duty pulling other Westfalias and Vanagons hundreds of miles with a tow bar is very convincing. 
 
I like Diesel also but I know just how gutless they are in Vanagons unless they are turboed. Very expensive.NA is fine if you live in a rural area slow winding roads and no traffic. Long weekend road trips on freeways NO.
 
The Diesel 1.6  makes a great tractor or sailboat motor  . Yes tractor, a guy just bought a exhaust manifold from me for the 1.6 he installed in his tractor! 
 
 
Robert
1982 Westfalia


 Is the 83 water cooled diesel a good motor?