I'm a bit of an alternative energies enthusiast and I want to restore an old Beetle. Some of you may be familiar with bio-diesel, a fuel made from used cooking grease that can be used in diesel engines without modification (if the fuel is properly processed). For the car to use bio-diesel, it must have a diesel engine.

I've been unable to find a lot of info on the subject with searches because they have been riddled with information about the New Beetle TDI engines. I haven't been able to find an old Beetle with a diesel engine, so I'm assuming that there are only gas engine Beetles in the US and I will need to swap it with a diesel engine.

1. Is this a difficult thing to do?
2. Which diesel engine would be the best choice?
3. What year range would be the best to look for (for the car)?

I have found a bit of information, and it seems that the engine mounts are compatible with nearly all VW engines, even up to present. Is this true? If so, could I perhaps get a diesel engine from a Rabbit and use it?

If anyone can refer me to a general information website for older Beetles, I'd much appreciate it. I want to do fairly extensive mods, because I have a limited budget and in my price range the Beetle will probably have a decaying interior and possibly not be in working condition.

I don't actually think it will be possible. The old Beetle uses a boxer-style flat 4-cylinder engine, in the back driving the rear wheels. I am not aware of any diesel engines using that configuration, most small diesels are 3-cylinder or 4-cylinder inline engines. It would probably stick out in the back. Other older Volkswagens like the Dasher, Rabbit, and 1st generation Jetta were available from the factory with diesels as early as I think 1976. But those are front engine, front-wheel-drive cars.

Actually, the answer is that it's possible, but expensive. I got sick of waiting so I posted at another forum.

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=69701

The expense is probably too high for me though, so I'm going to look for another car.