I've got my 87 Wolfsburg running fairly well so I figured it was time to
get back to putting a used engine I got from someone doing an engine
conversion in my 87 Syncro.
  I'm looking at the opening in the engine bay and that old, crusty, dirty
fuel tank wrap is staring me in the face.  It taunts me and laughs, "Go
ahead, put that motor back in here.  I dare you.  I double dare you.  I
triple dog dare you!  As soon as you think I'm running right, I'll seize
that pump or make that gauge sender fail.  I *live* to make you suffer in
Vanagon shame on the side of the road or better yet, on that beloved flat
bed.  How many times have you ridden home with the tow truck driver now?
 You two should get married!  Ha-ha."
  Firmly believing in the "You can pay me now or you can pay me later"
axiom, does anyone have anything to add to the list of things I
should/could do when I convince myself to pull that tank?  This is what I
have so far:

1. New fuel pump
2. New fuel sender & gasket
3. Replace any questionable fuel lines.
4. I'm contemplating wiring the old pump on a separate circuit for two
reasons.
  a. To use as a running backup in case the new one takes a dump.
  b. To use as a transfer pump from some aux tanks similar to what David
Marshall was working on a few years ago (long tanks that fit between the
frame rails).
5.  Cleaning and undercoating the entire fuel tank area for weather and
sound isolation.

Can't imagine the originals going much longer after 27 years.  Best serve
as an emergency back up or something but would hate to have to pull
motor/tranny and tank 6-12 months from now while the engine is out now.

  I would love to hear what anyone has to offer up.

TJ
87 Syncro