New to group - does anyone have info on diesels in Microbus's

Hi all,

I have restored and sold 4 1974 "Things" over the years and just sold the last one about a week ago. The guy I sold this last one to asked an interesting question. He asked if I had ever considered putting one of the diesel engines from a 1978 Bus in a Thing. The only diesels I'm familiar with, from VW, were those that went into Rabbits and Rabbit pickups and the current crop going into the Jettas and Passats. I hadn't heard that such an engine existed. Since I don't really trust the source I thought I might ask those of you who might know if such things exist. Considering the way fuel prices are going now days and if such an engine does exist I might have just found my next project.

So, here are my questions;

Did VW put a diesel in a Bus?

If so were they pancake engines or inline?

What size was this engine?

Was it turbo'd?

What years were they produced ? especially if they're pancake engines?

If they were pancake engines could you direct me to leads for their acquisition?

Thanks,

Mike