Date:         Mon, 20 Jul 1998 11:38:58 -0400
Reply-To:     Tom Carrington <tcarrington@RELITECH.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Carrington <tcarrington@RELITECH.COM>
Organization: ReliTech, Inc.
Subject:      Re: HELP! Which Westy to buy for engine swap?
Comments: To: Mike Ray <Mike.Ray@AMMOBILE.COM>
Comments: cc: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Mike Ray wrote:
>
> 1.. I need a Westy! What do I buy? I assume it has to be a Diesel or
> Wasserboxter to get the radiator and water tubes in the vehicle. Are
> there differences in the vehicle cooling systems between L4 & boxter
> motors (other than motors, ie Rad sizes, coolant tube diameter etc)?
> Would one be a better choice if given an option?

If you are installing the Golf engine, then get a diesel powered van
because the engine mounts and tranny bellhousing will fit perfectly. If
you are installing a Ford or other engine, then I would get any
wasserboxer Vanagon.

>
> 2.. Has anyone done a swap w/ an auto tranny? Is this even an option?

Tim Smith is putting a Subaru in his automatic trans Vanagon crew-cab.
>
> 5.. Do the liquid cooled vehicles have traditional "heater core" setups?
> How does the heat get into the vehicle?

There is a heater core in the dash on all water cooled Vanagons, and
later ones also have an aux heater core and fan unit under the rear
seat.

>
> 8.. I've read about the diff in gearing between the the deisel and gas
> motors. What is the going rate for a used gas tranny? This may deter me
> from getting a deisel vehicle.

In the DC Area, they can be had from private parties for about $250 or
so. Watch the "Want Ad"..sold in the 7-11 stores.

>
> OK, I'm done for now. Thanks all! Hope to hear from you soon.
> Mikey
> Falls Church, VA

Mike:
We should hook up sometime. I live in Silver Spring, MD. Sudhir Desai is
up in Catonsville, MD as well. He is installing a 4.3l Chevy in his
Vanagon.

TomC
tcarrington@relitech.com
http://www.relitech.com/tomc/tomvw.htm