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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Diesel Vanagon Engine

Posted by: bd1308 Jul 26 2005, 02:26 PM

anybody know anything about these guys? The porsche mechanic has one in his yard, hasn't done anything to it, he got it from one of his friends that died.

I have a idea--

is this a type II IV, I , VI, VIII or what?

Posted by: bondo Jul 26 2005, 02:32 PM

I work at a vanagon place.. I have no experience with the diesels, but I do know they don't have a very good reputation. If you're going diesel, go modern VW diesel.. then you could at least get good mileage and reasonable power.

Posted by: Mueller Jul 26 2005, 02:32 PM

should be a straight (inline) 4.....

Posted by: 914forme Jul 26 2005, 03:39 PM

Yep inline -4 with a special oil pan and pickup for the pump and mount. Good if you want to swap a gasser into a Vanagon. Or a 1.9L TDI engine would be my choince.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Jul 26 2005, 06:05 PM

Yup, more or less (much less than more, I know!) a Diesel Rabbit engine that leans waaaaay over.

--DD

Posted by: pete-stevers Jul 26 2005, 06:16 PM

one of my customers at the veggie store has a 1.9 tdi in his syncro bus...he says it is the "cats meow"
sounds a lot better than the original.....next time he comes by i will take a good look at it.....

Posted by: pokey1168 Jul 26 2005, 06:34 PM

from the vw guys I run with, most seem to agree that unless it is a turbo diesel that they would probably not mess with it. All of them rave about the later turbo's though.

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 26 2005, 07:50 PM

Bellhousing is offset also for starter motor. Real popular South African (OE)powerplant- the H20 inline rabbit engine-used very successfully for years.
My '86 Syncro van with 3.2 carrera power was recently parted out in Livermoore Ca. It racked up almost 400,000 miles with only wear and tear VW items replaced.
Engine will see another life in a red 9146GT
It was a fun driver.
MF

Posted by: Mr.C Jul 26 2005, 08:03 PM

QUOTE (Maltese Falcon @ Jul 26 2005, 05:50 PM)

My '86 Syncro van with 3.2 carrera power was recently parted out in Livermoore Ca. It racked up almost 400,000 miles with only wear and tear VW items replaced.
Engine will see another life in a red 9146GT
It was a fun driver.
MF

Why did they part it out? I'd love to have one of those.

Posted by: redshift Jul 26 2005, 08:33 PM

We're all nuts, but some of us.. are insane!

M

Posted by: dmenche914 Jul 26 2005, 09:09 PM

Uhm, lets see aren't diesel vanagons are smog exempt, so they make a good choice for an engine swap. Put in what ever the heck motor you want. Gasoline Vanagons are required to have smog done, limiting engine swap choices.

Main problem with the diesels in the Vanagon is that they were something like 60 HP. I remember my Dad buying a new Vanagon back in 86, he bought a gas one, when he tried to drive the diesel he figured it had less power to weight ratio than the old underpowered 63 VW Microbus he was driving. The gas Vanagon is no rockect, except comparee to the diesel Vanagons sold in the USA.

now a turbo conversion sounds interesting.

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 26 2005, 09:34 PM

Cabasa, you missed your chance...it was for sale for about 9 months
The new owner just wanted the donor engine, his buddy wanted the roller van, and I think that the bolt-in conversion parts may still be up for grabs
PM me if you're interested and I'll hook you up with the new owner...
marty