Those inserts are very important.  Although more so in a water cooled engine.  They force the air coming through your grille to go through the condenser, as opposed to the easier way around it.  It will increase the efficiency of your A/C.  Check to see if there are 3 inserts (2 side and one across the bottom) and replace them all.  The GoWesty/VanCafe inserts are much better made than the originals and better for the environment.  I had to replace mine after a crash in SC and am happy with them.

Dave B.

-----Original Message-----
From: Karl Ploessl <karl.ploessl@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sat, Jan 6, 2018 2:19 pm
Subject: Re: AC 81 vanagon grill insert

as this is for an air cooled one with no radiator, I am not sure what the
purpose of these items are. But they were there but the holes in these
covers are just so worn out that there is no way to reattach them anymore.
will try to find on ETKA. Maybe that gives me an idea...

Karl

On Sat, Jan 6, 2018 at 1:29 PM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> this?
>
> http://www.van-cafe.com/left-and-right-radiator-cooling-duct
>
> and this?
>
> http://www.van-cafe.com/lower-center-radiator-cooling-duct
>
> they are for routing the air to the radiator..
>