The Quest for a Diesel Westfalia

[krudongwesty]

I am in the market for a '82 Westfalia diesel.  There is one being offered w/ no engine nor tranny.  Originally, it has a manual tranny.  However, it looks appealing because of the following:
1) New paint
2) No rust
3) New upholstery
  
My application is basically for camping w/ family & long trips, so it should cruise easily @ 70mph.  Ideally, I'd like to install a 1.9l naturally aspirated diesel or turbo w/ an automatic tranny.  On the other hand, if it's too much to hassle to convert to auto tranny, I will stick w/ manual.  One of my future mods would be a veggie oil conversion as I already running one w/ my '79 Mercedes.

Any engine/tranny suggestions:
1)  What about other parts needed to get the engine running (apart from wire harness, conversion kits & radiator)?
2)  With the conversion, can I use either gas or diesel tranny?  
3)  What are the important components that must be in this vehicle that will save me time/$$$ during the process?

Before I make my purchase, I need your help asap.  Please!

[55eta]

i think you will get a better response if you move /re post your post in the idi section rather than the tdi where your post is know

[Rabbit on Roids]

dont you just love how people see the TDI page and they think "the T must stand for TURBO!!!!!!"

hahahaha.

[blackdogvan]

Maybe he wants a TDI engine for his van?

[745 turbogreasel]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/1533482246.html
I saw this one, it looks to be pretty much there in the ad.

[Rabbit on Roids]

Maybe he wants a TDI engine for his van?

he states that he wants a 1.9 L n/a or turbo. usually those engines are IDI. atleast on this side of the pond.

[blackdogvan]

Maybe he wants a TDI engine for his van?

he states that he wants a 1.9 L n/a or turbo. usually those engines are IDI. atleast on this side of the pond.

Nope, all tdi's untill the 2L PD's are 1.9 in north america. SDI's are almost impossible to find tho.