OK I have my early van volunteer (Thanks Mike Collum). Anyone driving
an '87 or newer with AC able to help me?

Thanks,
Chris

On 6/21/05, Christopher Gronski <gronski@gmail.com> wrote:
> The saga of identifying my condensor wears on. I spoke to Ron at Bus
> Depot and he mentioned that the condensor they sell now as 253 260 403
> is an upgrade but recalls that the factory condensors "had a break in
> between; a set of fins up top, then a blank area with no fins, then
> another set of fins below". He wasn't able to definitively help me
> identify my condensor. That said,
> 
> http://www.polarbearinc.com/PBPC/homepage/Search/CN/CN_VW.html
> 
> Identifies the early condensors as being "2 piece" and the later
> condensors being "1 piece". So here is the favor:
> 
> I need someone with an '84 or '85 (with AC) to go out and pull off
> your upper and lower grill (its really fast you only need a
> screwdriver) and see if your condensor is one piece or two (and if you
> could bring atape measure and get aproximate dimensions that would be
> doubly helpful).
> 
> I need someone with an '87 or newer (again with AC) to do the same. My
> hunch is the two piece condensors will have a break where the body
> metal separates the upper and lower grills. It probably goes without
> saying but if you know the van has had major AC work or you know the
> condensor has been changed, please don't volunteer.
> 
> Please e-mail me if you are going to volunteer. In the unlikely event
> I get a lot of people who want to help I don't want 20 people pulling
> thier grills off for me )I have a feeling I will be lucky to get two
> volunteers, but who knows this list is the best!).
> 
> Thanks,
> Chris
> 
> On 6/21/05, Christopher Gronski <gronski@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Ron,
> >
> > Thanks so much for your reply. You may have inadvertently helped me
> > identify what condensor I have. Mine is a single piece, no break in
> > the fins.
> >
> > http://www.polarbearinc.com/PBPC/homepage/Search/CN/CN_VW.html
> >
> > Identifies the early condensors as being "2 piece" and the later
> > condensors being "1 piece". Is it possible you are remembering the
> > early condensor when you remember the break in the bank of fins?
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > On 6/21/05, The Bus Depot <ron@busdepot.com> wrote:
> > > Chris,
> > >
> > > The supplier sent me a picture of the 253 260 403, as we don't keep them in
> > > stock (but can get them in about a day). Surprisingly, it appears to be
> > > different from the original version, as in the picture it has fins all the
> > > way up and down. (The original one had a break in between; a set of fins up
> > > top, then a blank area with no fins, then another set of fins below.)
> > > However, they list it as being a suitable replacement for all 86-91
> > > Vanagons, so it would seem you are safe to use it regardless. You can see a
> > > picture of it at http://busdepot.com/images/parts/253260403.jpg . As for
> > > which you have now, the part number was originally on a sticker which may
> > > have fallen off. Unfortunately I do not have an original VW one that I can
> > > measure or send you a picture of. But apparantly the 403 that our
> > > distributor carries will do the job regardless. Sorry I can't be of more
> > > asisstance but this is all I could get out of them.
> 
> 
> On 6/20/05, Christopher Gronski <gronski@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I am in the process of trying to upgrade my AC system and need to find
> > out what kind of condensor I have (Earlier vans have the 255 272 413A
> > single fin condenesor, the upgrade is the 253 260 403 two fin
> > condensor). I have pulled both of my grilles off as well as the lower
> > rubber sheild that directs air to the condensor and rad but I cannot
> > find a part number anywhere on the condensor.
> >
> > My current condensor fills both grille areas and measures roughly 22"
> > wide by 1 1/4" deep by 17" high (I have pics available if that helps).
> > Does anyone know where the part number is on this thing? Or
> > alternatively does anyone know the measurements of an early (83 to 86)
> > condensor?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Chris
> >
>