Date:         Thu, 25 Feb 1999 09:22:01 -0800
Reply-To:     Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      Re: engine conversion experiences (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

At 11:36 AM 25/02/99 +0100, you wrote:
>Bjoern and others,
>
>On Wed, 1999-02-24 10:49:05 -0800, Björn wrote:
>
>> ...
>>                      Well I think that a Diesel is the best for a Syncro
>> when you need low end torque in off road conditions.
>
>There can't be  any  dispute that,  with respect  to torque, the  Diesel
>would be the engine of choice  in a Syncro.   But you should be aware of
>an apparently little known  detail: due to the way  the Diesel engine is
>built and due to the  way it sits in the  Vanagon, Diesel Syncros have a
>reduced maximum wading depth of only about 20 cm (yes that's only twenty
>centimeters or 8" of water!)   compared to the 40  cm  of an FI  Syncro,
>which, too, is rather meager but is the best a Syncro can do.
>
>Sincerely
> Rainer
>
>'89 Caravelle GL Syncro 16"

That is true because of the exposed turbocharger. There are two
possibilities to amend this:
1. Put the engine into a more upright position which would require raising
the engine lid and the use of a bell housing adapter.

2. Build protection around the turbocharger to avoid sudden water shock.

On the other hand: how often do we go swimming with our vans?

Björn