Date:         Sun, 8 Jul 2001 21:43:51 EDT
Reply-To:     SBWC919@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Brian McClure <SBWC919@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Suggestion,  Re:      Checking a Radiator.-now cooling Q&A
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Hi- I had some cooling issues when I converted my Van to Subaru power.
Apparently, More horsepower = more heat.  Most of my problems were caused by
a leaky water pump seal. It would only dribble a little leak- but when the
van cooled down- it would also suck air back in!!!  Never could get it bled
right.
 Finally replaced the pump- Problem solved!
Seems that i kept getting air bound.
   Also I think that most of the cooling problems would be solved by a front
fill radiator. Think about it.... Just like a normal car the air goes to the
highest point, in this case the radiator neck, and bubbles out into the
overflow tank.
Self bleeding!
 I am including a letter a fellow Subie conversion junkie sent to me, He set
up a front fill in his- solved a ton of problems!
          <<Brian the radiator i used was a Performance 314. I believe it was
used in early 90s pathfinders. What i did was go to a radiator warehouse and
look at the Modine catalog to try and find a core size that would be
close,have the same side inlet and outlet  and have a side fill.this one
seems to cool fine but i had to cut and modify the upper cowl and screen for
the cap. also had prblems with the spare tire fitting but finally got it.this
rad does not have side fill which i think made it a little harder to do but
it works all the same.What i liked about it was no resiovor tanks in the
engine area.Also i was able to mount the cooling fan to the rad with some
tabs welded on the fan and some spacers.I put in a 30 amp 3 way switch to run
the fan any time without the use of a temp switch in rad.for hoses i went to
the parts house with wires bent in shapes that i thought would be close and
could and fit.the # i came up with were gates 20893,21412,21833,21852. I used
the stock hose going over the trans connected with a piece of copper pipe to
the outlet side of motor and used hose 21833.on the thermostat side  the
first hose was 21852 then 21412 the connectd to the hard pipe to front.>>
 Dont know if this will help anyone- but it bears some thought.
Brian
83 Urabus