Date:         Thu, 20 May 1999 12:37:18 -0700
Reply-To:     Otmar Ebenhoech <Otmar@EVCL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Otmar Ebenhoech <Otmar@EVCL.COM>
Subject:      Re: FW: Diesel Vanagon Conversion
Comments: To: Jeff Mannino <jmannino@ETRADE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <E2355928804ED21187B500805F571F5002872654@g4ntex1.etrade.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>Hi everyone,

>1982 diesel Westy that had a 1986 1.8 Jetta engine installed in it.  Not
>being familiar with these conversions (my previous buses were all early '70s
>type II's), I had a few questions about the car.  Tom answered them very
>well, but he also suggested that I send mail to this list to see if anyone
>in the area (San Jose, CA) could help.  Below is my original e-mail to Tom,
>his response, and my response back to him.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>jeff


Hi Jeff,
That bus, I looked at already last week. I was looking for a friend and
decided against it because she wants a clean reliable car.
Here is what I remember of it, I declined to drive it because I had seen
enough.

1) rust under windshield right side, surface body rust (esp. under radiator
grill), this was a coastal car.
2) poor bodywork right behind sliding door
3) poor battery installation under rear seat, (plumbers tape! and it's loose)
4) poor care for wiring on conversion (notice the rag filling the hole
under the rear seat)
5) stock diesel transmission, poor gearing for the conversion.
6) accelerator cable problem as you noted (cable housing, what's that?)
7) coolant overflow tank relocated, no cap, it's empty, poor access.
8) poor exhaust work, restricted pipe size.
9) much mildew on inside roof.
10) dirty engine, not very well cared for.
11) no BAR sticker, techincally a illegal conversion.
12) potential engine troubles.

Overall, I was willing to buy if it was a clean conversion or a perfect
body, but it was niether and I did not think it was worth it.
HTH
 -Otmar-
86 Syncro (front) 82 (rear) Stretch GTI Westfalia. "Power of two"
http://www.evcl.com/strvan/strvan.html
Several EVs (Electric Vehicles)
Electric Vehicle Components Ltd. (650) 494-9255