True, blocking rad helps. I seem to recall a picture of an old Volvo
with some kind of metal curtain that could be pulled across rad.

At this point I have newspaper stuffed in fresh air intake. Certainly
helps given that I'm running a little 12v heater these days.

So likely I have too much time on my hands, but I went ahead and did the mods.

Pics about that and other related here:

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil/iWeb/Site%205/FreshAir_Mods.html

And yes I can always open a window eh? --- ;^)

I can't imagine a banjo player unhappy!   --- ;^)

Neil.

On 3/23/07, Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
> I never had any trouble with moisture; that's why you have vent wings
> Neil!    :)
>
>  The cardboard doesn't block all  air flow, just slows it down enough to
> keep the temperature up.  We did a couple of winter tours of the BC Interior
> and blocking off the top portion of the rad was all it took to keep the band
> (well, not the banjo player) warm and happy.
>
> On 3/22/07, neil <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hey Jake.
> >
> > If he does that, then on cold days, wouldn't moisture build up in cab
> > air? (i.e. no fresh air)
> >
> > Of course in my van I'm sure fresh air gets in a lot of other places.
> >
> > Even with windows up!
> >
> >
> > Neil.
> >
> > On 3/22/07, Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Mark, you could just wire some cardboard over the upper air intake to
> keep
> > > air temps up.   :)
> > >
> > > On 3/22/07, Mark Tuovinen <mst@ak.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Neil,
> > > >
> > > > I have been meaning to reply to your first post on this, I too am
> thinking
> > > > of what can be done to improve the heat output as it is less than
> > > > desireable.  We are in the midst of one of our coldest average temp.
> winters
> > > > in decades, around +`9F average with many nights at my house from `0F
> to
> > > > -`20F and my `87 Syncro just never gets warm enough unless you drive
> for a
> > > > long time which most days I do not.  I would get it the license plate
> > > > "icebox"(it is white) but that is already taken.  I like the idea of
> finding
> > > > a way to block off the outside air and create recirculated air and
> will
> > > > gladly pull the dash to modify as necessary, I have to anyway as my
> > > > passenger side wiper pivot broke earlier this winter.  My initial
> thoughts
> > > > have been similar to yours a controllable flapper on the fresh air
> intake
> > > > and a way to get recirculated air to the core.  Unfortunately it has
> been
> > > > seven months since I had a dash apart and my memory of the air intake
> area
> > > > is a little shaky.  I am also going to
> > > > try and eliminate some of the drafts that enter the van via the doors,
> > > > parking brake handle, etc.  I know of people that have installed a
> clear
> > > > plastic curtain behind the front seats and ducted the rear heater
> output to
> > > > the front, unfortunately my kids would complain if I did this, they
> feel
> > > > that they too deserve the benefits from the heater.
> > > >
> > > > Mark in AK
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: neil <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
> > > > Date: Thursday, March 22, 2007 9:13 am
> > > > Subject: Re: Mod. Fresh air box to recycle cabin air? (did some
> searching
> > > > in arch.)
> > > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Ryan.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for reply.
> > > > >
> > > > > > I would, however recommendyou block off the two hoses coming out
> > > > > the sides of the >heater box.
> > > > >
> > > > > Good idea. Much simpler than mine. If I could though, I would like
> to
> > > > > have 100% control of fresh air intake and recirculate cab air.
> > > > >
> > > > > This is what I would do:
> > > > >
> > > > > make flap to control fresh air intake at air intake behind front
> > > > > grill.
> > > > > remove plastic fresh air ram flaps in box, block opening below these
> > > > > so air drawn by fan is not drawn from area of heater core. With flap
> > > > > closed at air intake ram behind grill, fan would draw air from cab
> > > > > through the fresh air vents.
> > > > >
> > > > > Then I could control/mix fresh air intake with cab air. Not sure how
> > > > > restrictive the diamter of fresh air vents would be.
> > > > >
> > > > > I think it's possible to do.
> > > > >
> > > > > Hardest part?
> > > > >
> > > > > Fabbing flap (odd shape) for air intake ram behind grill.
> > > > >
> > > > > Or dealing with taking dash apart again cuz it didn't
> work......  ;^)
> > > > >
> > > > > Thoughts?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On 3/22/07, Ryan Miller < rmiller@azteca.com> wrote:
> > > > > > Neil, I came up against the same problem you're having when I
> > > > > did my air to
> > > > > > water conversion. I couldn't find any practical way to recycle
> > > > > the air
> > > > > > unfortunately. If you do, pass the info along. I would, however
> > > > > recommend> you block off the two hoses coming out the sides of the
> > > > > heater box. These
> > > > > > are fresh air hoses that go to the far left and right dash vents
> > > > > and don't
> > > > > > heat when the heater is on. Maybe the vent flaps close off the
> > > > > air flow
> > > > > > enough though. With that done, I've found the heater works
> > > > > plenty well here
> > > > > > in Utah during the winter.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Ryan
> > > > > > '82 Camper Van 'Beethoven'
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Date:    Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:37:26 -0800
> > > > > > From:    neil < musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
> > > > > > Subject: Mod. Fresh air box to recycle cabin air? (did some
> > > > > searching in
> > > > > > arch.)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hi all.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Am rebuilding fresh air box and will install heater core as I
> > > > > will convert
> > > > > > to a water cooled engine.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I understand how the box works but.....
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Assuming box rebuild and engine conversion done properly;
> > > > > >
> > > > > > will the heater properly heat cabin in really cold weather?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > (There isn't going to be a rear heater)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > If not, is there a way to mod box to recyle the cabin air?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Obviously recycling air from cabin would at least make initial
> > > > > heating> process more efficient.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > One idea I had in that regard.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Block off fresh air intake, (or make flap to control fresh air
> > > > > intake at ram
> > > > > > outside.Difficult I know....), remove fresh air ram flaps,
> > > > > make/install a
> > > > > > piece underneath area below flap(s) to block air from being
> > > > > "pulled" from
> > > > > > area of box pressurized by fan, so air from cabin could be drawn
> > > > > from side
> > > > > > fresh air vents.The drawback would be no more fresh air from
> > > > > fresh blown
> > > > > > from air vent at ends of dash.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Has anyone done this? If I'm totally off base, please educate me!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Any thoughts or success stories in this regard are welcome.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > And for you air cooled people considering upgrading to water
> > > > > cooled, I can
> > > > > > provide pics of box showing how/why heater core can be
> > > > > installed. Have not
> > > > > > installed heater core yet. (Am waiting for parts!) but can show
> > > > > where box is
> > > > > > cut for heater core nipples.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.
> > > > >
> > > > > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Jake
> > > 1984 Vanagon GL
> > > 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> > > www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.
> >
> > http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> >
>
>
>
>  --
>
> Jake
> 1984 Vanagon GL
> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil