The 82 used 2 separate temp switches in the radiator, high up. The 83-91
has only one hole for a temp switch down about half way. The newer
switch has both hi/lo in a single 3 wire switch. The 82 wires need to be
combined and extended with a 3 pin connector on the end from a donor.

You need a small motor metal fan shroud, common in 83-85, less so in
86+. The fan motor from the 82 can be moved to the 83-91 rad but the 82
shroud can't.

The 2 lower stamped bolt-on brackets are different so you need a pair
from a 83-91. The top brackets will need to be fabricated.

The front hoses are different, at least one of them.

I have done this 5 times that I can recall.

Mark

AD Felder wrote:
> Mark -
>
> By wiring differences do you mean that the electrical connectors are different?  There appear to be a number of variations for those temp sensor electrical connections.
>
> I have been trying to get into my DieselVanagon group site but Yahoo is having some problem they say they will have fixed soon.  They've been saying that a lot lately.
>
> As always thanks for the info, I'm just checking out my options now.
>
> --- On Sat, 4/11/09, mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET> wrote:
>
>
> From: mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
> Subject: Re: radiators
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009, 10:36 PM
>
>
> No, the 82 radiator is different than 83-91. Mounts are different, fan
> shroud is different, temp switch layout and wiring is different, hoses
> are different.
>
> I always upgrade 82 vans to the later radiator. You need some parts from
> a donor van to do it, with 83, 84, or early 85 being the best donors for
> this. Otherwise it gets a little more complicated.
>
> If you have an 82 van you might want to join the DieselVanagon group on
> Yahoo where this topic is well known.
>
> Mark
>
> AD Felder wrote:
>> Anyone know if there is any difference (other than the letter appendage) between radiator 068 121 253A for a diesel 82 and radiator 068 121 253E for watercooled 84-91?  Can the more available E version be used to replace an A version in an 82 diesel?  fasten points the same?
>>
>> Appears I have a crack, lower right, rear face in the plastic near the return hose outlet.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>