OK, here's a stumper for ya.  I'm looking up parts for a customers
car.  My dad taught me well and said, NEVER go to the parts store
without the old part.  So being a good boy, I take the part home
(luckily VW put the number on it) and put in the computer (Site 1) and
out pops this:  025121171   Coolant Flange   Metal elbow/flange on
passenger side of engine block (attaches to coolant hose). Also
replaces plastic version.    So I start digging around a different web
site (Site 2) and I come across this: 025121160D  86-92 2.1l Vanagon
 Coolant Hose Flange for Passenger Side Head (2.1l) Metal.  This is
the coolant hose flange that is on the passenger side head on a 2.1l
Vanagon (syncro too) right by the power steering pump. It is number 41
on the coolant hose chart. The original one may be plastic but this
new one is metal.    Now at first glance, I know your saying, "Duh,
the part numbers are different" but theirs a little voice in your head
saying, hmnnn, the descriptions are the same and the location
matches....  So, I do a cross check of the same numbers on both web
sites:

Site one 025121160D  Coolant Flange  Right Head, 2.1L Vanagon
Site two 025121171     83-85 1.9l Vanagon   Small Coolant pipe between
block and short hose for 83.5-91 Vanagon.  Small Coolant pipe between
block and short hose on passenger side of engine.

Now, that last entry does have some discrepancies (83-85 or 83.5-91?
and how could it be 1.9 and be for a 91?)  Regardless, they appear to
be the same flange for the cooling system but part numbers are
different but items SEEM to be the same.  I don't have EKTA but don't
know if it will help.  This is NOT about pitting these two sites
against each other.  So don't even go there!  Aside from a simple typo
in the last entry to make things extra hard to sort out, does ANYONE
know what the difference is?  Yes, their is a substantial difference
in price.   Ben, Ron, Frank, Benny (CA), Ken, and a few others in the
business whom I've forgotten your names, got any input?  BTW van in
the shop that needs it is a 91.

Thanks,

TJ

87 Syncro
87 Wolfie