There is no oil pan gasket, a careful bead of gasket sealant is called
for there. There'll never be an easier time to replace the valve
cover gaskets (including the inner plug gaskets), front oil seals,
front main crank seal, rear main oil seal, and oil separator plate ( a
known cause of leaks if the plastic unit is still there from factory)
so you're best off to replace them while you have the engine out.
Might as well hit the timing belt and water pump while you're there.
And do a careful examination of the pullleys on which the t-belt runs
to ensure that their bearings are not worn. Replace if so.
Reversed manifold? It's truly a user choice. It serves to shorten
the coolant piping runs and unclutter the engine bay. Your
installation of a vw temp sensor in place of the subaru temp sensor
(the dash gauge sensor - not the ecu temp sensor) is the same with a
reversed manifold as it is with non-reversed.
all the best,
Brent
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Brent Weide
Portland, Oregon
www.weidefamily.net/vanagon/
Brent Weide