The heater core is also needed for defogging. It's bad enough the VW
didn't provide AC action to defog the windows but to not have heat to
clear them doesn't make sense. If you have a safety inspection, working
defrosters is probably part of it.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Mark A. Kreuzer
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:30 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Removing front heat exchanger

Looking for feedback... thanks group.

I'm in the process of planning an entire fresh of the mechanicals of my
85
Westy.  This includes installing the new Zetec engine.
As part of my project I'm planning to take out the rear heater core and
now
that we live in texas i'm considering removing the front as well.  I'll
be
taking off the dash to fix the vents so i'll be right there already.
Here's my rational:
1.  I don't want to spend the time or money on replacing hoses and the
exchanger to ensure the refresh is complete.
2.  It's just another potential failure point that i'm not sure i'll
actually need.
3.  compared to the midwest, texas just doesn't get cold enough to
warrant
having heat.  i'd rather bundle up if it's a little cold.

thanks in advance for your thoughts.

-- mark

Mark A. Kreuzer
email:  markk@ourwesty.com
85' Westy