It sounds like yours is in a different location.  On both my '84 and '85 the
valve is up above the spare tire, way up in the hump behind the radiator,
and just hangs from the hoses.  I thought about removing the  large rubber
plug in the hump that the hoses and cable go through, but It was so hardened
I was afraid I'd destroy it or never get it back in.  No doubt that's how
they installed it at the factory though.

Working around the fan motor to get a clip on that's adjusted perfectly took
me about a half hour, and a pair of long nose vice grips. Just to be sure it
didn't pop off I wrapped it with a cable tie.

As a bonus, I managed to scrape the crap out of my left (utility) arm and
rip off part of the tip of my ring finger.  I don't want to do this job
again.  At least the spare carrier gives you a nice backrest to lay on!  I
recommend adding cardboard padding, a pillow, and raise the van to provide
the most comfortable angle,
you'll be there for a while.  Beer helps too.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: James Felder [mailto:jim.felder@gmail.com]

That cable clamp... One of the easiest things on a Vanagon IF you have it
right in front of you instead of trying to do it blind up in the hole it's
in.

Since you have to take the hoses off anyway, go ahead and take it off at the
top where it goes into the heater box, behind the glove box. Then remove the
7mm bolt that clamps the heater control. Pull off the heat distribution
cover and then pull the valve down to the floor where you have a fair chance
of dealing with it.

More stuff to do, but easier especially to get the clip just right.

Jim