Nick wrote:
>> im thinking of pulling a few spare
>>pumps for my trip, the question is, how? it sounds like its below and
>>behind the front passenger seat.

>>also, i have a few questions about my westy- first theres a green
>>control right next to the steering column that says temp. should be
>>self explanatory, i know, but heres where it confuses me- its not a
>>push-pull control, its one that is rotated, and it shounds like
>>theres some kinda clockwork timer in the big black box behind it that
>>keeps ticking even after the van is turned off...whats this all
>>about?

>>second, whats mounted behind the shield in between the fuel tank and
>>the tranny, adjacent to the propane tank? to the rear of the shield
>>it looks like some kind of smoke stack or vent pipe sticking down.

Nick,
This all fits together.  
The big cover between the gas tank and the transmission covers the BA6 heater system.  The cover is held in place with a handfull of sheet metal screws (8mm head I think).  The cover is only present on vans with the gas heater. The cover also hides the fuel pump and the fuel filter from view.  
The cover must be removed to service the pump or the filter.  You may want to change the filter now because a clogged filter can make the pump noisy.  (While you are there you can check out the fuel lines that run from the tank to the heater and pump and then back to the motor.)  
The big gren knob on the dash is the control for the heater. The clock work that engages when you push and turn the knob is what sets the heater run time.  (The gas heater will function with the van turned off.)  If you turn the knob with out pushing it in you set the cut off temperature for the gas heater.  
The smoke stack you see near the transmition is the exhaust for the heater.
Hope this helps,
George
'85 Westfalia (with a BA6 heater)