1982 Diesel Radiator upgrade

[sphet]

Hello Samba Members,

I recognize what I need on the front end to get my diesel up and running with a late-model radiator - Cowl, pigtail, brackets off a donor. But I also recognize the hose needs changing, but then my coolant pipes should probably be changed. The hose diameter is different than later water-cooled vans. I know there are posts out there already about what is needed to switch over the radiator, but I wonder about the specifics beyond just the electrical.

I wonder if anyone who has done this can explain where they stopped and whether I can do this job without a lift. Did they get new coolant pipes? If so which ones? What hoses did they use to hook the radiator up? I am hoping to do this myself, or at least have all the details before I hit a mechanic up.

Thanks for any help.
_________________
1982 Diesel Westfalia 1.6 NA - The Shellakabuukiee

[crazyvwvanman]

The 2 rad hoses are simple enough. The only new front rad hoses have the pipe ends larger for later long pipes but you can get generic rubber sleeves made exactly for the purpose. These let the later hoses fit fine with earlier long pipes. The rad ends of the 2 front stayed the same size for all years.

http://www.van-cafe.com/hose-adapter

edit: you can find hoses for other vehicles that can be cut and made to work without the adapters but I just use the adapters.

Mark

[Jeffrey Lee]

When I replaced the entire cooling system on my 1983 diesel a few years ago, I used the following components.

NOTE: as you probably know, the 1982 diesel Vanagon uses slightly different pipes, mainly pertaining to the angles of the final bends where the pipes enter the engine compartment; be sure you consult with the various vendors and/or be aware of any necessary modifications you'll have to make in order to make it all fit.

GeeBee Silicone Hose Set
These are quality hoses, with good construction and fit, though the set did not include one particular hose which I had to fabricate.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1177342

Hose Adapters
crazyvanman mentioned the necessary Van Cafe hose adapters
http://www.van-cafe.com/hose-adapter

Coolant Pipes
There are other vendors I'd prefer to purchase these from, but as far as I know, this was the only one offering the unique 1982 diesel pipes:
http://vanagonwestfaliaaccessories.com/

Mounting Brackets
You may find these brackets useful for mounting your pipes, esp. since the new pipes will have a center joint which benefits from the additional reinforcement of these brackets.
http://campwestfalia.com/product/vanagon-coolant-p...w-cpmb-38/

No vehicle lift is needed to do this job, but ramps or jack stands will help. A motorcycle/ATV jack is also helpful to lower/raise the fuel tank to aid R+R of the pipes.

Good luck!
_________________
Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com

[sphet]

[crazyvwvanman]

I wouldn't get new 82 style long pipes, go for the 83+ so they will work better with 83+ diesel engine compartment hoses. The 82 engine compartment hoses are no longer available so replacements will be 83+ type (really 86+ type). I think the best deal on these engine compartment hoses are sold by VanCafe as TIICO hose sets which are really diesel hose sets with an extra small S hose for some gas engines like tiico.

http://www.van-cafe.com/tiico-engine-conversion-hose-kit

If your current 82 long pipes are still ok there is no reason you can't still use them.

Me and my family have owned about 10 1982 diesel vans and I personally upgraded most of them to 83+ radiators.

Mark

[sphet]

[crazyvwvanman]

The long pipes came in 2 diameters. If you get the replacements in 1 1/4" then you don't have to open up the crossmember hole.

83+ Diesel vans used the same pipes as vans that came in the US with 1.9 gas engines. These were steel 1 1/4" until mid 85 when they switched to 1 1/2" plastic pipes.

(Vans that came with 2.1 gas engine always had plastic 1 1/2" pipes, but different ones than diesel and US 1.9 vans. The 2.1 pipes don't match up at the engine ends with diesel engine hose positions.)

Mark

[Jeffrey Lee]

[sphet]

[crazyvwvanman]

The 82 pipes have a slightly different bend at the engine end. So they spread apart at the engine while the 83+ pipes stay side by side all the way to the ends. It is a small thing but the different hoses are shaped to match the different pipe positions so you have to fiddle with the hoses when you are mixing versions.

Mark

[tortuga480]

[zuhandenheit]

I installed a radiator from a 1990 van, using the donor brackets, fan + shroud, and wire harness. Later, when I was swapping an AAZ, I bought a new radiator. One of my original pipes sprung a leak so I bought new stainless steel pipes. I also replaced the expansion tank with one from a later model gas van. I'm still using the original rubber hoses, which are in remarkably good condition. Unfortunately, I missed a chance to get a set of the silicone hoses used -- I can't imagine spending close to $700!

I've done everything just using a standard floor jack, and none of it has been much trouble.

Everything works great, but I do have the problem of sourcing hoses. Because of that issue, as others have said it makes sense to use 83+ pipes.

I don't think the larger diameter pipes are worthwhile for the sake of cooling improvement. I'm running the smaller pipes and have more cooling than I need. If I'm parked, my coolant temp needle will eventually reach the middle of the gauge and the fan will kick on. Even in very hot weather, the needle stays around 1/4 as long as I'm moving. In cooler weather, it will drop to near the left side.

So, with a good radiator and 1.25" pipes, the system is fine for an AAZ.

[sphet]

Has anyone doing this upgrade found that the stock spare tire is now a tight fit? I now have a skinnier one in there than before so it doesn't rub against the radiator. I need to have another look at what exactly is the issue but it just seems the new rad is longer.
_________________
1982 Diesel Westfalia 1.6 NA - The Shellakabuukiee

[tortuga480]

[zuhandenheit]

Mine is a tight fit. I didn't put it together until now, but I'll bet that's the problem.

[sphet]

[tortuga480]

Just to clarify
the GeeBee Silicone Hose Set silicone hose set is made to match up with the 83.5 to 85 Vanagon Replacement Stainless Steel
http://vanagonwestfaliaaccessories.com/media/captureD50.jpg
from http://vanagonwestfaliaaccessories.com/ ?

Thank you


Edit: Not patch pipes its the complete pipes.
_________________
1982 Westfalia 1.9 TD AAZ/DK

[Zephyr_shreds]

What kind of screws can I use to bolt the cowl to the radiator. I got the gowesty radiator upgrade. Putting it in my 82 diesel.

[beach_creature]

Can you not use the same screws from the old fan shroud?
_________________
84 Westy
1.9TD AAZ
5spd manual with Locking Peloquin TBD

[MarkWard]

I don’t believe the original 82 diesel shroud attaches to the later radiator out of the box.
_________________
☮️