>I'm sure this gets asked at least once a month, but please excuse me, I
>don't intend to start any arguments, just want some sage advice from those
>that have been there, done that. I'm not a big believer in re-inventing the
>wheel. I have the financial ability to purchase either style of Vanagon, but
>am wondering what the pro's and con's of Air vs. Water might be. I would
>certainly appreciate any advice about which to buy. It would appear that I
>can afford to buy up to about an 85 Vanagon up here in B.C. I've seen the
>prices ranging from 4500 to 8500 for 80 -85 Vanagons in excellent shape,
>body wise.

The Type 4 engine, which is what the 1.7, 1.8 and 2.0 aircooled bus engines
are, can be hotted-up quite successfully. I believe the max capacity so far
is 3.7 liters! But anything under 3 liters should be possible to do
reliably, with really good power figures. But these rebuilds are expensive.

What I have had suggested, when telling the buyer of my 75 van today, is
that it would be good to get a cooling engineer to look at the Wassergon's
system to see what can be done to rid it of air traps and unneccessary
complications such as coolant expansion tank sensors etc. My Caravelle had
none of these excess tanks etc and seemed to give no problems; this guy's
brother is such an engineer and I might just get him to look it over and
make suggestions...once I have the beast back on the road.

Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
VW & mollusc nut
1969 Kombi with Corvair 2.4 & Powerglide
1975 Kombi derelict ex 3.6 Toyota V8
1984 Caravelle 3.8 Holden V6
1984 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma 2.0 (FWD)
1986 CE80 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel
1989 CT170 Toyota Corona Select 2.0 diesel