[Vwdiesel] What engine would you want?

[James Hansen]

Some discussion points...
2 ways to go:
Diesel or gas?

Gas, use the most common engine you will find, easiest parts availability,
simple carb preferred, fuel injection is too busy. 2 liter gas busses are
too rare a motor to have local parts availability. I'd use a 1.8 liter
inline 4 cyl gas 8 valve head, with a single 2 barrel weber. Easy to work
on, robust, will pull all day.

Diesel, mechanical injected 1.9td, with some serious fuel filters, hands
down. No electronics, easy fuel availability. 
TDI conversions, mechanical tdi conversions, etc are too much fuss. Not the
greatest mileage with a 1.9td, but dead nuts reliable. Very simple
maintenance.

-james





-----Original Message-----
From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com] On
Behalf Of Dave Cook
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 10:41 PM
To: vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines at googlegroups.com;
TDI-Conversion Group; VW Diesel Group; Audi-VW-Diesels Group; Buskatiers
Group
Subject: [Vwdiesel] What engine would you want?


First, sorry for those of you who get this in more than one group, but I
figured the varied groups would yield varied results and thoughts.

Anyway...

A few years ago, buddy and I attempted to drive my '78 bus to Alaska after
graduating from college.  After a couple breakdowns, we ended up turning
around and coming home, vowing to do it again sometime.

Well, we both are currently looking for work, and the conversation has gone
back to the idea of another trip, and to do it right this time.  For the
past couple years or so, we've talked about the Pan-American Highway, going
deep into South America.

The bus does still have the stock, 2-liter, fuel injected engine.  That runs
pretty well (assuming I figure out why it currently won't start...) though
I'm sure it is probably pretty worn.

So, an engine conversion isn't out of the question.  The question would be,
what engine?  I would prefer it to be something out of a VW, mostly because
I'm pretty familiar with many different VW engines, and have all sorts of
manuals.

Things to consider (that I've thought of so far) would be:
*Reliability!
*Ease of repair, and finding parts in South America if necessary
*Ability to limp along for awhile if necessary
*Fuel availability
*Power and Economy
*Other considerations I haven't considered?

Also, we were talking about selling sponsorships/ad space on the side of the
bus.  Of course, there will be a blog with lots of pics, including pics of
the bus.  If anyone has any leads here, that would be much appreciated!

Thoughts?

If nothing else, hopefully this will spur on some conversations in some
otherwise quiet groups.

Dave Cook



      

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