Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 19:54:31 -0600
Reply-To: Miguel Winterpacht <wntrpcht@MC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From: Miguel Winterpacht <wntrpcht@MC.NET>
Subject: Re: '84 Westfalia Engine Swap??? (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Dave Fain wrote:
>
> I have only been on the list a couple of months so this may
> already have been discussed to death. My '84 Westfalia had
> the cylinders and heads replaced by the DPO but the bottom
> end wasn't rebuilt. In fact, the shop didn't even drop the
> block out when they did it. It doesn't seem to be leaking
> any water, although it does seem to consume a lot. It now
> has a serious oil pressure problem so I figure it's time
> for a rebuild. Due to the Vanagon's little habit of
> developing leaks, I have been given the cold shoulder in
> every VW shop in Denver except for a couple of the dealers
> who will sell me a rebuilt unit from Canada. I am inclined
> to rebuild it myself. Here's what I need to know:
>
> There's the guy in Boston who rebuilds the heads by
> grinding them out, welding and remachining. There's
> also the guy in Portland who ceramic coats them. Does
> anybody have any experience with either of these? I
> don't want to buy rebuilt units from the dealer and
> have them spring a leak in a year or two if I can
> get something better.
>
> The other option is an engine swap. A GTI engine would
> be nice but I have done enough V8 conversions on American
> cars to know that it may be more hassle than it's worth.
> Has anybody out there done this? Do you just bolt the
> diesel bell housing to the transaxle or is it really
> necessary to change the flywheel and input shaft? I
> have a Westfalia so raising the floor is not an option.
> I did notice that the clutch alignment tool for my
> Vanagon was a perfect fit on my Fox.
>
> How about a regular Fox or Jetta engine? Will this
> fit the diesel bellhousing and will it have enough torque
> to be an improvement over the waterboxer? I know there are
> kits for installing a Subaru 2.2 but is this enough of an
> improvement to be worthwhile after doing all the wiring
> & stuff? My Fox and Vanagon use the same ignition module
> so I figure that would be an easier swap.
> thanks, Dave
My father has 2 1982 diesel campers, when the engine on one of them went
out he put in I believe a Audi 4000 4 cyl. engine.
which of coarse he installed some of the electronics from the audi into
the Van. What takes him the longest time is making custom exhaust
systems. I'm not sure what else needs to be done but It's definately
possible even by an amature auto mechanic.
Take care.
Miguel Winterpacht
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