I just did some looking around on both my 90 and 83. The differences
seem to be:

On the 83, the metal floor seems to be relatively flat and low under
the center carpet. The e-brake is mounted on this level, and the hole
for the shift lever is on this level. The duct that carries air to the
rear is a planted-on piece with spaces for the shift lever and e-brake.
The front of it curved up in the form of two boxes, and the bottom of
the cover is wider and deeper than the gas (later) version to
accomodate these two upwardly curved square ducts.

On the 90, the ductwork seems to be pressed into the steel, an extra
layer of steel say, to take the place of the square curved ducts with a
plenum that's built into the car's stamping. It's much smaller in
section than the bolt-on duct from the earlier cars, and is smaller in
section everywhere.

They both duct into the rear passenger area.

Jim
On Jan 25, 2005, at 11:24 AM, mark drillock wrote:

> Yes, 82 diesels had it also. At least the 7 diesel 82s I am very
> familiar with do or did. I like to remove it and upgrade to the later
> front heater assembly entirely. MUCH better controls and better heat.
>
> Mark
>
>
>> On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 11:00:16 -0600, Al and Sue Brase
>> <albeeee@mchsi.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I think it is an 83 only piece. Never seen one on an 82. It SURROUNDS
>>> the shift boot.
>>> Al Brase
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Have this in my 1989 1.6TD Syncro. Have to check but IIRC it is the
>> same on my 82.
>>
>> BenT
>>
>>
>>
>