In a message dated 1/9/04 1:41:52 PM, guruvinnie@YAHOO.COM writes:

<< I guess there isn't
anyway to convert the stock radiator to a front fill
radiator..., >>

There's a way to do almost anything; it all depends on what you find
acceptable.  It is possible, albeit slow, to fill the system through the 8 mm venting
hole in the radiator.  I should say, to finish filling the system because it
would take so long to get those gallons of coolant through that little orifice.
 The key to this is to insert a tube, small enough to fit loosely, into the
venting hole.  The tube has to protrude into the radiator enough to be beyond
the length of the vent hole tapping.  While filling, the air is vented through
the space between the tube and the inner diameter of the venting hole.

When I've done this, I believe I used 1/4" thin-walled brass tubing on the
end of some small diameter hose which was connected to a makeshift reservoir.

There can be some unforeseen benefits to this tedious technique.  Once, while
I was doing a quick top up, I kept having to refill the pint reservoir I was
using.  I had expected to add a few ounces of coolant and once I had added
about half a gallon and it still needed more, I knew something was wrong.  As I
walked around the van to get more coolant, the Dread we all know so well paid
me a visit when I spied coolant dripping from the van.  It was only a crudded
pressure cap allowing the coolant I was adding to fill the coolant reservoir to
overflowing.  I cleaned the valve seats of the cap and all was right.

I've filled and bled Vanagons several different ways before settling on my
current method.  I've installed additional venting valves in the system and for
filling I use temporary open reservoirs (platic bottles from the recycling
bin) at both the front and the rear.

George