Rob,

I recently did this.  It is fairly easy to do.  I did move the air cleaner
out of the way to get the two hoses that attach to the distribution unit
from the engine side off.

I used the part numbers that Mark McCulley posted to the list awhile back,
and ordered them from Camelback VW in Arizona.  A little over $30 for the
part and plug/clip/o-ring.  Worked fine.

Kerry
'86 syncro 166K
kstanley@cas.org
-----------------------

 From the archives:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The coolant distribution unit is a plastic piece that routes coolant from
the engine to the radiator and rear heater core. For some reason the syncro
uses a different part than regular vanagons (different hose routing
maybe?).Anyway, VW has made a change on this part you now have to order a
plug to go along with it. Here are the relevant part numbers:
251 121 442 coolant distribution unit
357 121 140 plug
025 121 142 clip
N90316802 O ring

-Mark McCulley
87 syncro Westfalia

> ----------
> From:         Robert Rountree[SMTP:rountree@PLANETEER.COM]
> Reply To:     Robert Rountree
> Sent:         Saturday, January 30, 1999 4:11 PM
> To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      Cooling distribution unit?
>
> On my 87 Syncro Westy (094-4wd) the Cooling Distribution unit is smaller
> and
> mounted Horizontal, not like the one in the Bentley VV91 diagram 19.11....
> is that because that (dia) is for van's with auto trans ?... what's the
> part
> number for the type I have?... and how many sacrificed virgins does VW
> charge for that part?
>
> Rob
>
> 87 Westy SyncroGL.....Cynosure 79k km
> Moonstone Ont.
> rountree@planeteer.com
>