hey, i'm pretty sure superman at superbeetles only.com has fitted a 8v into a 1303, using an adaptor.but from what i know the diesel vanagon used the same bellhousing as all petrol inline fours, so don't know if using a gearbox off one if them is possible? never got that far into it as i went wasserboxer, well i got one in the gararge waiting
. good luck