Ten years ago, I removed the Adventurewagen interior and replaced it with a Westy interior. The left me with, as you have, an about 2.5”x5” rectangular hole in the side of my bus. While I initially considered welding a patch in, the fear of warping that big, flat surface caused me to visit other options.  What I ended up doing was visiting my local body guy and having him fabricate a sheet steel plug and bonding it in using standard automotive adhesives. With that done, he filled any gaps with filler and epoxy primed it for me. I waited a year then ordered a couple rattle cans of single stage VW Pastel White and painted it. Ten years later, you can’t locate the repair. IMHO, the $300 it cost was well worth knowing that the hole was repaired correctly.

YMMV.

Jim

> On Feb 14, 2023, at 7:34 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> 
> Hi Bruce,
> 
>        If I can cut a simple plate I might just do that.  
> 
>        Do you remember what your Atwood vent looked like?  Mine is rectangular but has a round opening in the middle. That is always open to the elements.  I think something that closed it off must be missing.  Or maybe it was just like that. 
> 
>        I want to keep the cover as small as possible and use the two existing screw holes if possible without adding more holes. 
> 
> 
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 
> 
>> On Feb 11, 2023, at 12:50 AM, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 
>> Love Rob’s idea - could also double as a food slot if you were ever placed
>> in isolation or solitary confinement and exiled to your van.
>> 
>> You could find a VW insignia - older if possible that is chrome and cut a
>> backing plate from steel or aluminum and mount the emblem to the backing
>> plate and then mount over the vent hole.
>> 
>> I might have an old Atwood vent cover - would you like me to try and
>> scrounge it up and send it your way?  I can send you a photo of what it
>> looks like.
>> 
>> 
>> Bruce
>> 
>> On Friday, February 10, 2023, rob wilke <rob@robwilke.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Perhaps some sort of donation portal so that folks can help you with your
>>> regular maintenance etc.
>>> 
>>> On Fri, Feb 10, 2023 at 7:21 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Todays list challenge,
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> I’m looking for some creative ideas.
>>>> 
>>>>       During my winter work on my 84 Westfalia I removed a Atwood
>>>> furnace.  This had been mounted in the small cabinet between bench and
>>>> refrigerator.
>>>> It was vented out the side of the van.  I now have a 3 by 5.5 inch
>>>> rectangular opening.  The original vent cover is broken and missing a
>>> part
>>>> that seals it off from weather.
>>>> 
>>>> So, I need something simple or fun to replace that vent cover
>>>>       I was hoping a simple outdoor house outlet flip cover would work
>>>> but it is a bit too small.
>>>>       For now a simple cover such as a rectangle or circle of stainless
>>>> steel or aluminum would work.
>>>> 
>>>> I’m wondering if there is something in a hardware store used for
>>> something
>>>> else, that could be purposed for this?
>>>> 
>>>>       This would be a good location for something useful down the road
>>>> such as an outlet for solar.  Or a place to flip open the door and have a
>>>> 12 power point for plugging in a portable air compressor or light or
>>>> something.
>>>> 
>>>> So, any ideas for a not too ugly cover?  Or a small door like thing?
>>>> 
>>>> Some creative ideas would be great.
>>>> 
>>>> Now, you could say use it as a vent for the next furnace.  But, I’m not
>>>> sure this van will get one as my other van has a furnace and can be the
>>>> cold weather traveler.
>>>> 
>>>> You never know as fulks seem to be replacing Probex with Diesel and gas
>>>> models. So a used one could come my way.
>>>> The Atwood stuck out into the van more than I liked.  And has not
>>>> functioned in over 30 years.  It looks like a nice unit so if anyone
>>> local
>>>> wants it, its yours.
>>>> I found that the propane to the furnace had been disconnected and capped
>>>> off.  The electric connections were still intact.
>>>> 
>>>> I’m trying to take care of the 84 on a smaller budget.
>>>> 
>>>> So, creative idea on how to cover that opening?
>>>> 
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>> 
>>>