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AZ Landshaper
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Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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 Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 1:06 pm Post subject: How to heat front of AC van after swap |
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Ok so its finally approaching winter here in the desert. Really only after the sun goes down. Either way I need to figure out how to heat the front of my formerly air cooled vanagon now that I have a subaru engine in the back. Im pretty sure Im going to pull the dash and install the system used on stock waterboxer vans. Whos got some experience w this. Is it just a matter of hoses and core exchange and blocking off a few air channels?
Anyone w experience on this project? Id love to hear some details of your solution.
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85 Weekender w/ EJ22
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AZ Landshaper
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Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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From what I see of the diagrams in the bible the two assemblies (water and air cooled) look the same w the exception of a heat exchanger to contain the fluid. Is there anyone out there on the interwebs who has seen both heating systems?
This might be time to have a pizza delivered to the local shop with a list of Qs. Or call one of the specialized junk yards..
Upon further examination there appears to be a flap housing in the AC model. Is it poss the flapper housing insert is withdrawn and the heat exchanger just slide in? Dear Lord that would be wicked righteous.
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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for my 1st year I just installed a heater under the back seat and blew it forwards.
it was great enough after having 0 heat and we don't drive in the winter/snow..
but yes the front heater box is the same aircooled and H2o. there's knock outs for the coolant lines..
unless.. it's like mine which was a base model air cooled and the front dash box didn't come with a fan.. if you have a defog fan switch up front.. you likely have the normal AC box which can have a core added..
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17155
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:00 am Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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If it is a simple as slipping in a heater core, I just noticed CIP 1 has vanagon heater cores on sale. No affiliation.http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCod...newsletter
It makes sense that during production the housings at one point might have been similar.
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AZ Landshaper
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Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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Well the housings are similar  But still a bit different 
There are flaps on the AC heater box that dont appear in any youtube or bens place photo and appear to be in the way of the core going in. They control the air flow obviously. It looks like the later box is just a bit diff. The punchouts are deff there but this issue w the flaps may be a deal breaker.
whatcha think folks?
Any ideas off hand?
Ive got a few water pumper heater boxes i've found around the country. Probably headed that way. Unfortunately Ill likely be riding my bike to work this week. LOL
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AZ Landshaper
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Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 4:40 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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Might have to cut the tail end of these flaps off and see if the core fits and flaps still flap. The cheapest heater core yet is $225.
Whats w all these flaps and the ones you dont have control over?
Ive read a bunch of threads discussing the fresh air flaps or what have you and now I see the issue. Do these babies just hang open? No control over them? Sure seems to negate the heat. Yup Ive heard this before.
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AZ Landshaper
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Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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The heater core fits like a glove. Just like OJs glove in that it's a whee bit too small. It's obviously made to fit and accommodate the core in a diesel van. I need to find something to fur out the box so the core is in there snug. I've got it in and closed the box and shook it up and the thing rattles like crazy. The last thing I need is one more rattling object. I've got my share.
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85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.
Last edited by AZ Landshaper on Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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dhaavers
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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Felt or foam tape all around the perimeter should stop the rattles...
- Dave
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AZ Landshaper
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Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:30 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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After connecting the aircooled vanagon heater to a battery I realized its not gonna heat the van like I need. Heat was minimal and the doors were not directing air flow as needed.
I decided t buy a heater box from a salvage co.
The box I got is from an 84 vanagon. Its got three levers but only two cables attached. Where does the third level/ cable attach. The one thats missing is the middle or hot and cold lever. Where is the lever (on the box) that coincides with the hot and cold controls?
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Steve M.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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If you can find a heater box off a later year model VW had redesigned it so heat comes out the dash air vents by your knee...big improvement for heating!
You might as well get the best you can get!
I do not know which year they did that, the answer would be in one of the heater box rebuild threads.
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Last edited by Steve M. on Tue Dec 26, 2017 10:10 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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AZ Landshaper
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Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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already have the 84 model. It appears to be one of those. You either get defrost or knee level. Not a concern at the min. Need to locate the hot and cold lever on the box or where? may become more obvious tomorrow but not sure whats up as of now.
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and a 67 bug. |
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?Waldo?
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| Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: How to heat front of A/C van after swap |
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| Hot and Cold lever is not connected to the box. The cable connects to the coolant valve. |
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djkeev
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AZ Landshaper
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Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:05 am Post subject: Re: How to heat front of AC van after swap |
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I installed the 84 heater box into my 81 westy (in record time)and the heat is better than I imagined. Real warm.
Complications included the extra cables from the old heater boxes and the plastic elbow that delivers air to the drivers side vents ( not found in AC vans). But in the end it's all good and warm.
Left Tucson last night w heat running. Headed
For the Mogollon Rim where heat will be a must.
Props to the guys at Fast in LA for sending me the box and all hoses and knobs and screws and other stuff I wasn't aware I would need. 
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