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Subject:Swap Plans-215ci V-8, 1.8 project available
From:Jon Christensen
Date:Thu, 30 Apr 1998 11:31:16 -0500

Hi All,

I haven't posted about my swap projects lately, so this is an update of
sorts.

I acquired an 82 Diesel Vanagon about a year ago and also acquired an 86
Jetta 1.8 shortblock and a complete 89 Fox 1.8 motor with the intentions
of doing a Diesel to Gas conversion.  Also acquired is an 84 Vanagon 4
speed.  Other than finding out that the Diesel Vanagon actually runs
pretty good, I have not proceeded much further with the project.

Meanwhile I picked up 2 215 cubic inch V-8's from a former buggy building
friend of mine.  For those of you not familiar with these motors, They
were used in the early 60's in Buick Skylarks and Old F-85's as an upgrade
to the V-6's offered in their "compact" cars.  They are made of aluminum
and one even has a 4 barrel manifold.  Around 1970 or so, British Leyland
bought the rights to the Buick version and put them in their Land Rovers
etc.  Yes, the same motor design used in the new Land Rover/Range Rover
you see running around today!

Now that I have the alum. V-8's that Kennedy Eng. sells kits for, I
am questioning my hoarding of the VW 1.8 upright H2o motors and the good
running Diesel Vanagon (100k miles).  I would like to find a nice 86-91
Vanagon with a bad drivetrain in the Midwest for this new swap project and
sell the 1.8 motors and Diesel Vanagon.  I will be keeping the 84 4speed.
If anyone is interested in these items, lemme know before I put a formal
ad together.  BTW, I live in Kansas where the emission laws etc. are yet
to be in place.  If anyone knows of a used Kennedy 215ci to Vanagon kit,
lemme know.  TIA
---
Jon Christensen
~Certified VW Nut     Check Out the Vintage VW Club of America:
Vvwca@primenet.com        http://www.concentric.net/~Vvwca

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