Engine Swap on a 1985 Vanagon Westfalia – Torque Converter Clearance Issues

In this video, I take on an engine install for a 1985 VW Vanagon Westfalia—a job I inherited from another shop that wasn’t able to complete the project. What started as picking up where they left off turned into a more involved task when I ran into some unexpected clearance issues between the torque converter and the drive plate at the rear of the engine.

After a thorough inspection, I recommended replacing the transmission to ensure proper fitment and reliable operation. Now I’m waiting on the new transmission to arrive so I can finish the job right.

In the meantime, I walk through what went wrong, what’s been done so far, and what’s next. If you’re tackling a Vanagon swap or just curious about the process, this video might help you avoid similar issues.

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