I am in th eprocess of installing a front heater box into my 1980
aircooled van, that was converted to a 1.6 TD.

now heres the weird parts..  My 1980 AC van had a 2 part front
heat/fresh air distribution box arrangement..
a 1980 AC Westy I took apart earlier in the year had a 'hollow'
standard westy heat/air box inclusive of a fan (front) for defog I'd
presume)
anyways..

my question lies in the ~85 donor heater box I have has a thin sheet of
steel on the heater core I'd suspect to slow down and incure hotter
transfer from the air thru the core..

Do I need this?
does it improve the heat?
seems like a noise and dust trap to me.

and soundproofing the nose while it's all out..

Dan