Cooling System
Contents
Coolant System
The van is HOW old? And how important is a coolant system to a functioning engine? The answer is VERY to both questions!
Revamp your coolant system!
- New Radiator
- New Radiator Fan
- New Radiator Temp Switch
- New temp sensor
- New radiator hoses
- New SS Coolant Pipes if you can get them!
The 82 & 83' diesels have a radiator setup that should be overhauled to the newer setup.
The main differences between this setup compared to the later vanagon radiator setup is the following:
- Newer radiator shroud (metal) non-ac from an 85-90 van to be safe. The stock diesel one is plastic and not usable
You can use an AC fan-shroud, but you'll need to make an adaptor as shown below.
- Newer lower radiator support brackets 85-90. It doesn't matter if it's AC or non-AC
- New radiator hoses; the return hose is different between the diesel vanagon and the newer setups
References
These were the references I used to get the job done on my van and help another with theirs.
Radiator Replacement
Installation
notes coming soon 06/06/16
Radiator Fan replacement
You will need to use an 85+ radiator shroud (metal) for a non-AC Vanagon.
However, if you can only find an AC based shroud, you can still use it.
You just need to make an adaptor plate for the non-AC fan to fit the AC shroud.
This can be done tracing the File:Diesel-acshroud-template.pdf template. I originally used a bucket lid when I discovered this issue; stoned engineering tricks!
notes coming soon 06/06/16
Photo
Original bucket-lid! This made me 2000 miles from STL to LA and then some.
Template marked on sheet-metal; if using thin sheet-metal double up!
Radiator Fan Electrical
notes coming soon 06/06/16
Photo
Here is a photo of the electrical done on Betsy
Libby Bong
1x 2"x30" black pipe(pre cut piece sold at homedepot)
1x 2" to 1 1/2" rubber reducer with clamps
1x 5/16" brass hose barb
10ft of 5/16" silicone hose, couldn't get any smaller quanity.
cost me $15 bucks to make it, plus it looks cool sitting in my garage.
