I am looking to replace the original radiator as the vanes are so brittle they crumble hen touched and parts listings from JK and Heritage say 1983 on for the ones they sell.
Does anyone know what (if any ? ) differences there are between the early diesel and later ('83 on) radiator ???
There is a third type, Kev.
The very early diesels that were made alongside the air-colds had a different kind of rad with hose connections top and bottom. The van body is missing the top plate with the holes for the mounting pegs, so van and pipework would need modifying to fit the later, more common (and much cheaper) radiator.
As you've spotted, it's just bracketry and plumbing, but the 1.9 in your van will benefit from the extra cooling of the thicker rad. (How are your front to rear steel pipes? Might be worth replacing those with all the cash you'll save on the rad!) (Very early rad, very rare & very expensive! Brickwerks have a recored exchange one at £241-80. A later standard "thick" one is £111). Another option is to get a quote from your nearest radiator specialist to recore your own rad?
The Campershack - (website paused) WBX Rebuilds & Upgrades from the beautiful Isle of Arran
Jonnyb416 wrote:I just had my early diesel radiator re-cored by a local radiator specialist. Slightly more expensive that Brickwerks but didn't have to pack and post.
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Will hopefully last another 30 years.
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1982 Diesel hightop. 1Y engine. Still work in progress but running and taking us on holidays.
Typical 'aftermarket' supplied rads tend to be one size fits all. By this I mean they have a thicker core, whether they are quite as thick as the 'official' 1.6TD/2.1 wasserboxer rad I don't know.
Martin
On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar now sleep xxHayleyxx