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Paulbeard
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015
Posts: 2604
Location: Seattle
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 Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 1:48 pm Post subject: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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I haven't pulled mine yet but the signs are there…fog in the gauges that sit above it, the smell of coolant, and today, a drip on the passenger side floormat.
A good opportunity to clean up all that garbage wiring under the dash (not all of it mine) while I am there.
I see the GW one gets high marks (and is quite pricy) but they're sold out. Who else makes one that you would recommend?
_________________
Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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A few years ago I installed an all metal core which I believe came from Van Cafe. I didn't buy it, but I heard it was pricey. The quality appeared to be top notch, and the fit was excellent.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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SyncroChrick
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2005
Posts: 1010
Location: San Francisco, CA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 3:20 pm Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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Stay tuned... I just pulled my heater box out this morning, I am installing the GoWesty heater core version in a couple days.
edit; you're right, it looks like it's sold out now. I may have bought the last one...unless the order arrives without it and with a little note instead...I think I have had that happening before. |
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RHMoore
Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2009
Posts: 52
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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About 18 months ago, I installed a front heater core from BusDepot. I have not been able to get any heat out of it, and I fear it is one of the units that folks say has tubes of very small diameters. I like the BusDepot folks and products, and I don't want to speak ill will of them or their products. Whenever I change it out, I'll check its flowrate to be sure. FYI, I did use the Libby Bong and other techniques multiple times to bleed the system.
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85 Wolfsburg Westy Weekender w/ Subaru 2.2 |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7755
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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I went with the Van Cafe option 3 years ago...all good... 
Their price has actually come down recently, so that's a plus...
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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revolution337
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2009
Posts: 372
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 6:43 pm Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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http://www.motoradsonline.co.uk/products/Volkswage...52d91.html
This is the all metal core that GW imports and sells on their site. I’ve contacted the company inquiring about purchasing one and getting it shipped to the US. They responded stating that it I (or anyone in the USA) would not have to pay the VAT, so it would be £71.80. That, plus the £30 I was quoted to have it shipped to the US brings the total to about £102. At today’s exchange rate, that’s about $130 USD. Much less than what GW is asking. |
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SyncroChrick
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2005
Posts: 1010
Location: San Francisco, CA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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Here is what to expect....went very smoothly, maybe a couple hour max to take it all out. Took my time. Fixing and cleaning some other stuff as I am there.
My heater core is actually in really good shape. I am almost tempted to keep it.
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Paulbeard
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015
Posts: 2604
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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| revolution337 wrote: |
http://www.motoradsonline.co.uk/products/Volkswage...52d91.html
This is the all metal core that GW imports and sells on their site. I’ve contacted the company inquiring about purchasing one and getting it shipped to the US. They responded stating that it I (or anyone in the USA) would not have to pay the VAT, so it would be £71.80. That, plus the £30 I was quoted to have it shipped to the US brings the total to about £102. At today’s exchange rate, that’s about $130 USD. Much less than what GW is asking. |
Yikes, that's a great deal. When I get a better grip on this, I'll be following up on that.
| SyncroChrick wrote: |
| Here is what to expect....went very smoothly, maybe a couple hour max to take it all out. Took my time. Fixing and cleaning some other stuff as I am there. |
I have been in there before (replaced the blower and did the Jeep resistor swap). Nothing like that, though. I think I'll spend more time cleaning up wiring than the real job…
_________________
Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22639
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 1:58 am Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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That's supposed to be a squirrel cage motor, not a mouse cage motor
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.ssS! |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4772
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 5:17 am Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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i'm convinced the finning on the OEM heater core is exceptional and probably has the highest heat transfer ability of all the cores available. that would be the only reason i'd keep one.... if it is good and you live in a really cold area and use the van.
otherwise, i'd put a new core in for reliability, lube the fan well, mount the OEM resistor in the air stream (or do a Jeep mod), and cover the air intake with metal mesh.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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SyncroChrick
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2005
Posts: 1010
Location: San Francisco, CA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:46 am Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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| djkeev wrote: |
SyncroChrick ......
You really need to go this linked thread and plug up some holes, especially the ram air intake behind the upper grill!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=432326
Also bleach the living crap out of all of that heater housing plastic! Also bleach all the metal duct that you can reach.
Then set it in the Sun to Bake for a few days. There is little worse than Mouse Pee smell....... well........ except for Cat Pee smell.........
Dave |
Dave
thanks for the link(s) - somehow I had missed it. I don't really have many extra sunny days here in Truckee, as it is supposed to start raining/snowing this week....but I will for sure bleach it today.
Strangely enough, there was no smell at all. I did not even think there was a nest before I opened it. |
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SyncroChrick
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2005
Posts: 1010
Location: San Francisco, CA
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:48 am Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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| DanHoug wrote: |
i'm convinced the finning on the OEM heater core is exceptional and probably has the highest heat transfer ability of all the cores available. that would be the only reason i'd keep one.... if it is good and you live in a really cold area and use the van.
otherwise, i'd put a new core in for reliability, lube the fan well, mount the OEM resistor in the air stream (or do a Jeep mod), and cover the air intake with metal mesh. |
Dan,
I agree with you. I think this is true with most parts, it's really hard to buy anything that is better than OEM.
I will take another look at it today but I may indeed keep the original core. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:23 am Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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If it pressure tested good I would re-use the original only because it's got more fin area then anything else I've seen out there on the market.
Mine is roasting me when it's down below 40° here.
For some reason people have had a hard time bleeding the air out of some of the aftermarket ones.
Rather then doing the Mullendore Port (which is a great idea.) I opted to provide for a "Lube Tube" coming up through the drivers side defog duct when I replaced my foam and new oem motor.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=40
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:42 am Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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Since you got al that stuff out of the way and if you have a few extra bucks laying around the Recirc kit from old Vanistan website might be good to do now.
On his new website!
https://intrepidoverland.com/shop/cabin-air-control/
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There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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MsTaboo
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4086
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2018 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Does his kit allow for rodent control measures?
Dave |
Yes
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine. |
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metropoj
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2004
Posts: 1343
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| Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 5:37 am Post subject: Re: Recommendations on a heater core? |
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I did an Audi 4000 all copper heater core retrofit along with the Jeep Resistor upgrade. I have the build listed on here somewhere.
The thing roasts me out of the van on full. No issues yet.
I like the Vanistan recirc kit idea. I thought of DIYing my own based off a breadloaf 68-79 design ...
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John.
86 TiiCo powered Westy. |
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DanHoug
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Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4772
Location: Bemidji, MN
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