Heat exchangers to cab question

[twisties]

Hi,

I've got a 74 Thing that the PO completely removed the heater ductwork, controls, etc from. The only pieces left are the defroster ductwork in the dash and the heat exchangers in the rear. Right now I just want to get some warm air into the cab, going to get creative with the interior ductwork later.

In looking at some other threads here I'll need the two hoses, 111-819-941, 111-819-942, four seals, 111-819-945, and then four clamps 211-255-463. Seems like the hoses and seals are available from TTS or Airhead Parts, can't find any results for the clamps. Would regular hose clamps work for these? I'm assuming the seals go between the hoses and the heat exchangers and cab outlets, the clamps just squeeze everything together to keep the hot air from leaking out? Any info would be much appreciated!

[GI Joe]

[twisties]

Thanks!

[twisties]

Ok, parts are here (the two hoses, 111-819-941, 111-819-942A, four seals, 111-819-945) but I'm a little confused. Based on the sizes of the hoses and seals, it appears that the seals go outside the tubes? There is no way they would fit inside. The tube ends are all 60mm.

For it to fit it seems like the tube ends have to slide over the chassis and heater box openings then the seal goes on the outside of the tube and then the clamp over that. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me as it seems to defeat the purpose of the seal but maybe I'm missing something.

Anyone got any pics of what it should look like?

[twisties]

Here's a pic of the drivers side with the hose slip fit onto the heater box. As I mentioned in my earlier post, the only way I can figure out how the seal goes on is to clamp it over the hose? There's no way the seal could fit between the hose and the heater box.

[/img]

[GI Joe]

If you look in the Upper left side of this pic(best I could do right now, from work)...
You can see the connection...
From what I see here it appears the Orange"seal" goes OVER the heatbox outlet, and then the connector duct goes Over the seal and gets clamped there.
It's possible you got the wrong duct pieces... I believe there were two different styles, if not 3...depending on the vehicle.

I will check again when I get home this evening and try to get a better image for you.. I'll check at the body as well.
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'74 Thing, "Our Thing"....
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'71 Beetle RPU
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8080337#8080337
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[twisties]

Well, that makes sense and is what I would have thought but there's no way the parts I have would fit together like that. As you can see in the pic I posted, there's barely enough room to slide the hose over the heater box outlet.

Based on the Thing parts diagrams and other postings here, these are the parts I got. Wrong stuff?

http://www.airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/heate...11819941-a

http://www.airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/heate...11819942-a

http://www.airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/heate...1819945-oe

[Rev. Scott]

Heh...might explain some of my exhaust/cabin issues.
_________________
"I haven't seen one of those since I was shootin' at 'em!"

[GI Joe]

Yes, definitely seal goes between duct and heater box outlet....

Maybe the ducts you bought are a "new & improved" design, to eliminate the seal...?
I'd say just clamp the duct to the outlet and body inlet, but it may not handle the direct heat of the heat box outlet metal...? Maybe the seal is a bit of a heat buffer as well?
_________________
'74 Thing, "Our Thing"....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=60
'71 Beetle RPU
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8080337#8080337
www.NLEOMF.com
Respect, Honor, Remember

[twisties]

Hmmm. The right side looks identical to the one on the TTS website, http://www.thethingshop.com/prodinfo.asp?number=111819942AM , they both taper down in size compared to the one you've got in your picture. I had wondered if perhaps the design had changed to eliminate the seal, but both TTS and Airhead Parts suggest the seal along with the hose?

Any idea how hot the heater boxes get? I had similar thoughts about just clamping directly to the pipe with no seal, it's a pretty tight fit as is.


I guess I may give Airhead a call on Monday and see if they can help out as well.

[citroen]

they do get really hot but I have not seen one melted without the seal I have used the thing shop ones and on some heater boxes there is not enough room for the seal I use the seal on both ends. The better the seal the more heat in the thing you need all the heat you can get, I even wrap goriilla tape around mine to make sure I get a good seal and the tape doesn't melt

[twisties]

Well, an update for those who are interested. I went ahead and installed them today without seals. Don't even think I could have gotten a single wrap of tape in between any way. I used 3" hose clamps, but without the seals 2.75" would work just fine. I'll be curious to see how they hold up to the heat.

FWIW the hoses from Airhead and TTS look identical. Right side fit perfect, the left hand hose I got from Airhead was almost too short, had to clamp one end and then really tug on it and hold it in place while I clamped the other. If I were to do it over I'd get two right handers and shorten one of them up, they're split where the corrugated section hits the smooth section and just sort of thread together. Would be pretty easy to just take off a few inches of corrugation and insulation and thread them back together.

Had to wire open the flappers since all the cables and controls are missing. Took it for a quick spin and it got HOT inside! Guess I'll need to find some parts so I don't sweat myself out of there. It's nice to have heat though!

First pic shows it clamped to the heater box and where you would modify it for the left hand side. Second pic is clamped to the chassis side.