[Vwdiesel] Suitable VW diesel engine/tranny for 96 Dodge mini Van

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

> Can you remove the heater core (91
>  Jetta) without discharging the A/C system?

  Yes and actually in a reasonable amount of time too.  :)  It's been a while
but you have to unbolt it, undo the strap around where the two join.  It's
like
a BIG hose clamp, screw tensioner and all.  I think there are some clips,
a couple nuts or bolts and you need to pull out the center console as well
as the lower covers.  Reassembly requires omitting a couple of the clips.
>
>  I don't know if this is a suitable forum for the
>  following but here goes.
>
>  Just purchased a 96 Dodge mini van.  With very high
>  miles. (A perfect project vehicle) Body in excellent
>  shape.
>  My question: Which VW engine/tranny combo would be a
>  suitable replacement?  In Europe you can buy this van
>  with a 2.4L turbo diesel and 5 speed.  I don't mind
>  some custom work. Or in this case a lot of custom
>  work.

  You'll have to fabricate all the mounts, get the axles lined up and
build adapting provision into them as well as shifter, clutch and so
forth.  Nothing near a bolt in and you probably want to stick with a
transverse, 4 cylinder TD setup.  Might be easier to find a used,
Euro TD.  I was heavily leaning that way but the one owner of one,
that I e-mailed, was only getting 9l/100km which seems to be 25mpg.
We weren't doing much worse than that, on trips, before a good tune-up.
Of course with the price of fuel I don't plan any trips with the thing!
Looks like I'll be rebuilding my 6.2 too.  Apparently the "friend" that
was using it, ran it out of oil.  :(  There used to be quite a few of the
6.2 vans pop up but now that mine's dead and needs assorted other
things, none seem to be available.
  At least if you went with an imported engine arrangement, it would
bolt in.  Just get all the mounting, brackets, brain and tell me where
to get one as well, if you get anywhere near the 50mpg I was first
hearing about that engine setup!  :)
     Loren