Fresh air for the driver in an 88

[solrankos]

I just read this article http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=311 from GoWesty about the Vanagon heater system. I have a 88 Vanagon where the drivers adjustable fresh air vault is heated. Apparantly on prios models the air from these vaults didn't pass the heater and was always fresh.
My question is if anyone here has tried to make the air in these vaults bypass the heater just like in older models?

[kipkohl]

I have an 89 Westy and if I put the heat lever all the way to the left (no heat), I get fresh, unheated, ambient temp. air.

[crazyvwvanman]

Your heater box already has the side ports for both versions of the venting, molded into the sides of the box. You would need to remove the vent hose for the driver side vent port and plug that port hole in the box. Then open up the port hole for fresh air port on that side of the box. Then you need to connect the vent to the newly opened port. That is an issue since the side ports are a different size and the hose needs to match.

The dash end venting changed in early 87 models, most 87 vans have the later venting with the dash end vents getting only air that has passed through the heater core. When the core is warm so is the air.

Mark

[crazyvwvanman]

Here, this photo from the gallery shows the side ports. The large oval port is open to have heated end vents. The large round hole is plugged. That large round port is for fresh air only vents.

Mark