Lower grille opening dimensions

[nick9871]

Hey everyone,

I gotta do some quick work on the van and I need to know the dimensions of the opening of the lower radiator grille opening. I need to cut this open on my water-cooled conversion.

Thanks much!!!

[Vanagon Nut]

A quick look through my notes, and no. Sorry.

If in a hurry, wrecking yard + tape measure + camera?

Neil
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)

1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[nick9871]

Yea in a hurry and in the middle of Montana... I just need the hole dimensions

[SteveVanB]

Roughly 27 1/2" by 6 5/8"
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91 CARAT

[Ahwahnee]

[charleslabri]

reviving this.. anyone have this data precisely?

[MarkWard]

Sorry no, but before I cut out the lower opening, I’d get some time and data for engine temps without. I’d wager, a well sealed radiator would get more than enough air flow through the top grill.

[Ahwahnee]

I believe this is what I posted above...

[vanagonjr]

I personally know of 2 water-cooled conversions that did not cut out that panel. So, it may not be necessary.

Looks like they didn't bother was well: https://www.busaru.com/aircooledvanagon/129-chassisprep
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John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed

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FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[kublerwagen]

Don’t do it!!

I have an ABA conversion into an air cooled. Have had no need for the second hole. Fan does not seem to run any more than a waterboxer does and my temps are very stable.

[Odd_Dutch]

I have a subaru 2.0 n/a conversion in an 1980 2.o aircooled, no need for the lower opening during our last trip in France with 40 degrees celcius climbing a lot of hills. I like the aircooled look
Must say everything in the cooling system is new and functioning well.
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1980 2.0L Tintop - Subaru EJ-20 conversion

[charleslabri]

ok, so.. ill keep it closed for now and see how the temps go!

thanks all

[MarkWard]

[charleslabri]

i guess.. just for good measure..

has anyone NOT cutout the front and had good luck?

[tnarey]

So in the last year I had my 83 Westy converted from the underpowered air-cooled engine to a water-cooled 2.2L Subaru frankenmotor. I have tried everything I could think of to get it to run in it's 'good' temperature range of between 185-195. Instead, once I get onto the freeway it starts creeping up towards 220F (No Bueno!) Especially if I have the AC on. I replaced the thermostat (one that opens at 165), burped the coolant professionally with a vacuum pump, created baffles that fit on either side of the radiator behind the grill in order to focus as much air onto the bit of it that sits behind that top grill. Unfortunately, nothing has worked. It does stay under the high temperatures when I'm cruising around city streets but once I start pushing it on the freeway then it starts to overheat. Oh, and the fan that sits behind the radiator does indeed run, and often.

The only thing I can think to do now is take it to a body shop to have them cut the hole for the lower grill and put that U-bend in, in order to keep the strength of the sheet metal up on the front of the Van. I can go get images of other Vanagons with that 2nd lower grill but I was wondering if there were any pictures of diagrams showing the dimensions of the hole, that people might know about to make sure they get it right.

[space]

[tnarey]

It's all brand new. The current reservoir hasn't deformed so I don't think that would be the issue. To be honest I just think the thing isn't getting enough airflow with the top grill, while 3/4 of the radiator is sitting behind sheet metal

[GoEverywhere]

[tnarey]

Wish I had your same experience, but I've been trying to get the temp to go below 200F for months now and have had very little luck. Do you have an automatic transmission like mine does. That seems to be the deciding factor I've heard. Something about that seems to make the engine work just a bit harder and perhaps the AT makes just a bit more heat, which in turn keeps the system from cooling like a lot of the manual transmission vans.

I dunno. I might just be heading for straws at this point. All I know is that I want a reliable can to take my kids or in and spending another $700 or so is small change after spending over $40K the past two years to get to this point.

[vanis13]

How are you getting your temp numbers?

Possibly the gauge/sender is off?

185 to 200 is less than 10%

FWIW, last time I took apart a Subi I tested the Subi sender/ Subi gauge and it was at the middle of the Subi gauge at 225
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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

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