The mounting bracket for the stock coolant expansion tank on a 1983 diesel Vanagon is prone to forming stress cracks and leaks in the plastic tank, due to the way it attaches to the bulkhead just forward of the battery platform.
During the course of an engine replacement, I upgraded to a complete set of silicone coolant hoses. These new hose diameters necessitate using a coolant expansion tank for the 1983-85 gasoline Vanagons. While these tanks are of a better design and more readily available, they will not fit into the stock 1983 diesel mounting bracket.
So I took the opportunity to further improve things using a tank mounting bracket from Van Cafe/Rocky Mountain Westy. This design provides better support for the tank, eliminating the stress cracks.
Unfortunately, the original tank mounting flanges on the bulkhead interfere with the surface mounting of the new bracket. I suppose one could simply bend and hammer these flanges flat, but I generally avoid such permanent modifications and molestations to original bodywork.
So I fabricated a short standoff to fit between the flanges on the bulkhead, and to extend the mounting surface. I made a few extras, so if you’re making this upgrade to your diesel Vanagon, this will help.
Install the bracket with standoff, mount your new coolant expansion tank in the bracket, and connect your hoses!
Get it here!
Got a comment or question? Post ’em up below!
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Great solution! I should do that!
Wondering what come with the coolant reservoir bracket? Is it only the squate tube plus bolts or all the parts we see on the second pictures. Except reservoir. Tks
No Stephen, this Bracket Standoff solves the problem of fitting a gasoline-model expansion tank and aftermarket mounting bracket to a diesel Vanagon, but does not include the tank or bracket.
Even without this Bracket Standoff, you can still attach the RMW/Van Cafe tank mounting bracket to a diesel Vanagon, you’ll simply need to cut/remove or bend flat the original diesel tank mounting tabs.
Is that coolant tank an early gas vanagon model? Do you know the part number? I’m looking at buying an unfinished van with tdi conversion that has silicone hose kit. Trying to come up with a parts list. Thanks!
George,
Yes, the tank shown here is the stock 1983-85 gasoline Vanagon/Transporter expansion tank. The most common part numbers given for this tank are:
025121403A
025121407
The 1986+ expansion tank is similar but utilizes a smaller upper hose nipple, so the connecting hose would require adapting, and may impede sufficient coolant flow.
Hope this helps!