I'm afraid that a conventional line, no matter what the configuration,
would not work. A banjo fitting might work. Anything more, and you will hit
the spring coils, period, or come so close that it would be unsafe to drive
in that situation.

If you or any else has evidence that anyone has ever installed the side
drilled calipers on a vanagon, I want to see a picture of it.

I have bought two "conventional" front calipers from aftermarket sources
recently, most recently today. As I say I would like to see a picture of an
installation using the side entry.

Jim

On Fri, Nov 8, 2013 at 11:25 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> There are two different calipers used in those years. You will need to
> make a new line. It can and does work with the port on back. In the
> aftermarket this seems to be the only caliper available.
>
> Dennis,
> From my phone.
> ________________________________
> From: Jim Felder<mailto:jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
> Sent: 11/8/2013 11:30 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: Vendors turning up wrong from caliper. Anyone know what's going
>            on?
>
> REcently I went to my trusted local VW shop for a left caliper for my 83
> 2WD diesel. They know I am liable to have anything, so they always ask me
> about the car, application, etc.
>
> The part came in, but it had the fluid inlet hole straight into the side of
> the "cheek" of the casting, not at the normal 45 degrees toward the top. As
> a result, this could not possibly work in a Vanagon as the metal brake line
> would hit the spring when the steering wheel was turned to the right.
>
> So I took it back. This time, the counter guy looked up a picture from a
> different supplier. It showed the correct part. It came in yesterday that
> same as the other one, with the hole for the fitting straight into the
> side.
>
> A local FLAPS got one out of Nashville overnight that I just picked up.
>
> Does anyone know what is going on here, and why that part with the hole in
> the side even exists?
>
> Jim
>