Vanagon Transmissions?

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I just bought an '86 Vanagon "ASI" conversion. I'm wanting to convert it to 1.6TD. Are the gas transmissions the same ratios as the diesels, keeping in mind that I'll need to swap the bellhousing to mate the engine together.

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Well I was thinking of getting one of those engines from ebay that was from a TD Vanagon from the start. Quality German Auto Parts in Montclair,CA. Item #260277438086.
Then getting a bellhousing to mate them.
How would one shorten the input shaft? Remove it and machine it or what?
As for the starter, is it Vanagon specific for diesel or is it a Mk2 or Mk1 Golf, Jetta?
Josh

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Hey bapa, would you look at the listing for me? Let me know what you think of it and the seller.  :roll:  :oops:  For this would be my first TD Vanagon conversion  :oops: .

[Dakotakid]

Yes, please report back to us on those folks in Montclair, Calif.
I have been so curious re: their engines.

[Sam Johnson]

With respect to Quality German two of us purchased AAZ engines around the same time in March 2008.  David had problems with his original engine and took it back.  Fortunately, he lives in the LA area.  Tomas eventually swapped him another engine that seems to be working well.  

As I live in Tucson if my engine needed to be returned it would have been more of a problem.  But so far I have not had any problems with my engine and am getting 27-28 mpg in a 1988 Vanagon GL with a stock transmission.  The kit I bought from Quality German was quite complete.   It only lacked an air filter.  This is easy to solve by buying a Caravan air filter from your nearest salvage yard.   I also added an external oil cooler and Saab intercooler and with 100+ degrees F (39 C) in Tucson my oil temp sits right at 210-15 degrees F (40C).

We have both found that we need to have our IPs resealed.  In my opinion this is really not a problem with the engines from Quality German but simply the result of the lower sulphur diesel after many years of the higher sulphur diesel fuel.  Red-Rider on ebay resealed my IP and I am very pleased with the quality and speed of his work.  Anyone that buys a used AAZ should expect to have to reseal their IP-sooner or later!

I doubt if Quality German really knows exactly how many miles (kms) the engines they sell have actually traveled.  The AAZ engines are more than 10 years old and if they have less than 100,000 km as many are claimed to be they have been sitting around somewhere for a very long time.   For certain the buyer must beware and needs to have a clear understanding with Tomas about returning the engine if it turns out to have problems.

You can contact me if you have any questions.

Regards,  Sam
Tucson, AZ

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Speeking of Vanagons, I found some cool vids. Thought you might like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWLFGPl1Kdk

[Sam Johnson]

Andrew,

The intercooler is a 900 Saab one fit in the driver side compartment.  We cut open the floor of the compartment enough to allow a free flow of air and it is so close to the turbo that there is no lag.  The oil cooler connects via a sandwich at the oil filter with the cooler and fan under the Van.  

With respect to the A/C that has been more of a challenge.  The Vanagon came with a stock A/C that was working when I made the conversion.  But the AAZ engine did not come with an A/C bracket and I have not been able to find one that will work with my alternator bracket.  Hence I am on Plan B--this past week I removed all the PS system and installed a manual steering rack along with the manual steering connecting shaft.  The Van now drives about the same as my old 1970 VW Bus but requires a little more effort when you park and make turns at low speed.  

This has now freed up the PS v-belt pulley as well as the space where the PS pump was installed.  I plan to mount my A/C compressor in that space and use that pulley as the compressor that came off my Vanagon uses a v-belt for the compressor pulley.   Next step is to fabricate some small bracket pieces to mount the compressor where the PS pump connected and then have the lines made to connect the A/C compressor to the original A/C lines.  

It looks like I will be out of the country all of Sept but hopefully I can finish this in the fall and have A/C by the time I need it next year.

Regards,  Sam

[Sam Johnson]

Someone on the Yahoo list had mentioned the larger steering wheel to match the manual steering.   To date I have not installed one but I may just try it to see how much difference it actually makes when driving.

My AAZ has an interesting alternator bracket setup with a large spring under the outside edge of the alternator to maintain tension (It seems the 1995 diesel golf had this setup).   I too had thought about moving the alternator up higher and slipping in the A/C compressor but would have to locate a different type of alternator bracket.  In contrast, using the PS bracket works as the two pulleys are the same.  Let us know how your plan works out.

Sam
Tucson, AZ

[Baxter]

I am too good to you.