Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:29:58 -0800
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: plastic blower assembly fix
In-Reply-To: <499D7DAD.6040507@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 7:41 AM, Greg <sorkilmo@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi there,
> I just bought a '76 Vanagon and am getting her in shape for spring. It
> needed a new front blower motor so I got right to it and tore the dash
> and blower assembly out. Its all going good so far. I got the blower
> assembly apart replacing the foam inside. Heater core tested good. The
> only problem I have is that two of the plastic tabs that hold the
> assembly to the van are broken off or cracked. Pictures on flicker
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/15712715@N00/sets/72157614113534126/
>
> I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on a good way to fix this. I
> bought some extra strength crazy glue (Permatex - ultra bond) but the
> package says no good for polyethylene or polypropylene plastic. So now I
> am wondering what kind of plastic I have here and if there might be a
> better product to use.
> Thanks for any help. I am eager to get on the road and am enjoying the
> list - great resource.
>
> Greg S.
> '76 Wolfsburg
>
Some thoughts:
Check out plastic "weld", "5 minute" type epoxy, or epoxy.
One of the ear holes looks ovaled. I'd be curious as to why that
happened. Consider filling and shaping that hole back to round with
whatever bonding agent you choose.
Thinner gauge metal bits bonded to each side of the ears combined with
whatever bonding agent you choose, might strengthen them. Fussy work,
but you are already familiar with how much work it is to remove the
dash! ;)
The "L" bracket idea in place of stock plastic ears makes sense too.
If possible, I'd use bonding agent and nut/bolts. Temp install unit
with good bolts, make your marks, remove, install bracket(s) with
nuts/bolts only, check fit, then bolt and bond. Apply some kind of
Locktite or ? to keep fasteners together?
Make sure you have the new fan wired correctly (bench test with 12V DC
supply. I have used a battery charger for this)
Neil.
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta "Jaco"
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
