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Aircooled to WBX - heating system

Posted: 11 Mar 2026, 11:08
by JimBaggins
Hello All,
After some advice, I purchased a 1981 t3. It was Aircooled, the watercooled conversion was nearly complete. Normally it would be straight forward and fit the watercooled heater box in place. However this van has another mod, power steering. Unfortunately the motor for the PAS fowls the heater box. Now I don't at the moment want to get rid of the PAS. What are peoples suggestions?

I am thinking one of two options, use an aftermarket heater fan unit and fabricate air inlet adapter etc... Or shoe horn an aftermarket heater fan unit into the Aircooled air box?

Cheers
Jim

Re: Aircooled to WBX - heating system

Posted: 11 Mar 2026, 11:48
by cobblers
Loads of watercooled LHD vans with electric PAS, the motor shouldn't foul if it's a commercially sold kit.
If it does foul then it's probably a DIY install which would worry me.

Re: Aircooled to WBX - heating system

Posted: 11 Mar 2026, 12:01
by JimBaggins
Interesting, makes sense what you say. What I think has happened is it has had a rhd PAS column fitted. Looking at this mod, the motor usually is pointing in the direction of the drivers door. On mine the power steering motor is facing inwards 🤦

Re: Aircooled to WBX - heating system

Posted: 11 Mar 2026, 16:38
by Aidan
T3 steering column is same regardless of lhd or rhd, only thing that changes is the actual steering rack; I'd say po has fitted it on the right side so it is less visibly intrusive and / or doesn't interfere with the fuse box which is always on the vehicle left side