I think that a 115 hp 2 liter inline 4 engine is a vast improvement over a 67 hp air-cooled engine.Worth the extra work : more power , heaters that actually work, improved engine life, better reliability. Of course there are many more tasks involved such as cutting a lower radiator hole in front, running pipes and hoses front to rear, removing the dash for a water-cooled airbox and heater core, splicing in a engine harness, and mods to the transmission. The air-cooled trans is ideal for the Diesel or gas conversion. True, a rebuild is easier, and that may be the reason to keep it that if it works for you. Since I converted in 1995, and upgraded to a 2 liter ABA in 1999, I'm running on the same engine nearly 12 years. Nothing but trouble were air-cooleds for me, except the venerable Bug. If your air-cooled has been running that long or longer , less power to ya! Robert1982 Westfalia 95 Golf engine
--- On Sun, 3/11/12, Jim Morgan <JM060356@AOL.COM> wrote: From: Jim Morgan <JM060356@AOL.COM> Subject: Re: 81 Air cooled... Engine conversion options?? To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 10:14 AM My 2 cents worth. Just rebuild the air cooled engine. The cost and time of a conversion are way more than what the van is worth. especially TIME! In a week you could have it back on the road probably running better than it has in a long time and spend under a grand if you diy or havegood friends.
just my .02 worth. Jim Morgan 80 vanagon "stink bomb" 74 super beetle |
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