Date:         Tue, 25 Apr 2000 20:24:26 EDT
Reply-To:     Roq8cyans@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rusty Johnson <Roq8cyans@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Ventilation system questions - Aircooled Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I recently purchased a complete set of seals for the air ducts through the
front doors.  This has left me with three questions:
First, the seals in the B-pillar (back edge of door frame) interfered with
the moldings on the bottom rear corners of the doors.  These are the pieces
that include the sliding vents.  I trimmed the bottom edge of the doorjamb
seals, which cured the problem.  Are these supposed to fit properly, or were
they even supposed to be there?
Second, there was a factory-looking block-off plate over the duct in the
A-pillar (front edge of door frame).  Why?
Third, my van has no fresh-air fan -- not even a switch.  Was this an
available option in 1980?  If so, can it be retrofitted in any way short of
stripping the assembly out of a parts van and swapping in the whole assembly?
 Or do I have to settle for screwing a fan to the top of the dashboard?

As a separate question, has anyone successfully installed an evaporative
cooler ("swamp cooler") in their Vanagon?  It's hot and dry in the summer
here, so it could be effective.  Besides, the Westy already has a water tank
I could use!  I fear that it will be more trouble than it's worth, though.

Thanks in advance for the advice, info, and/or random chitchat.

Rusty J
Ogden, UT
'80 WedgeFalia -- The Mysterious "Smoking Van" from The Vw-Files
("The Fahrvergnugen Is Out There")