Radiator Cooling System for a VW Bug
Rear Radiator - THEN
The radiator was rear mounted when WICKEDVW was purchased...that didn't work so well. In spite of the stand-off rear deck, the rad lacked good airflow and it blocked access to the engine compartment.
You can see a rear licence plate bracket that the seller had installed so that the VW Bug could be driven with the rear deck lid removed on really hot days. Moving to front-radiator cooling was a must.
Radiator System - NOW
Radiator Moved to Front
The rear rad was tossed and a new cooling rad installed up front.
Electric Spal Pull-Fan
A rheostat is set to turn on the 16" electric Spal pull-fan #VA18-AP71/LL-59A at 180 degrees. Not cheap but with curved blades, it is quiet and effective. The fan is shallow, only 3.45", moves 2177 cfm at 0 mm Static Pressure.
It is installed with a rheostat
Details
The fan is mounted with composite tabs and the rheostat probe is simply inserted through the rad fins between core lines.
Water Lines
S/S tubing was run from the radiator to the engine through the center console tunnel which also houses the shifter cable. Hoses at each end....no hard connections.
A Stewart electric water pump was added to help move water to the engine. That eases the strain on the engine pump.
Front Air Scoop
The front panel was cut open and fiberglass used to create the air scoop.
Air Escape
An opening was cut out of the body panel of the spare tire cavity directly behind the fan to allow air to escape. (Photo during construction.)
Licence Bracket
In Ontario Canada, we require a front licence plate, so a stainless bar was fabricated and connected to the custom stainless nerf bars to hold the plate bracket. Air flow remains sufficient with the plate in place.