The newest conversion

[Stripped66]

It appears the coolant enters the radiator at the bottom driver's side corner at a tee between the cross-pipe from the heads and t-stat (very obscured in the pics), and coolant exits the radiator from the top, back through the t-stat and out to the pump. Certainly not conventional, but definitely not unlike the reverse-flow radiators on LT1-equipped GM vehicles.

[eserv]

Is there an advantage to reverse flowing the radiator? It appears to be just as easy to flow it the "right" way.

[andy198712]

where did you get the fan ?

great idea!

[Stripped66]

Is there an advantage to reverse flowing the radiator? It appears to be just as easy to flow it the "right" way.

No advantage to reverse-flow radiators that I'm aware of. His cooling layout is constrained by the use of that t-stat; he probably went with what was easiest to package it all together.

[eserv]

If you play one of the movie files you can access a few more photo's that better illustrate how Joe has plumbed his cooling system. it is quite an ingenious idea! If you wanted to make a real simple engine setup you could simply use a manifold from a type 1 with a single 34mm carb. It would be interesting to see how much power and fuel mileage could be wrung out of one this way. It would make a very quiet running , smooth daily driver with the option of a good heater!. you wouldn't be able to use the center fan but I think it would work good offset if you ducted it well. I think I'll give it a try for my replica. I really don't need any more power and do value simplicity and reliability.
Ed

[eserv]

It would be quite easy to build a thermostat housing that would simplify that layout and require a lot less welding and fancy pipe bending than Joe has done. Can't really argue with success though, evidently Joe's creation worked!
I'd like to see a followup on how satisfactory it worked out in the dub. Whole different ball game in an enclosed body vs a buggy!

[Joe vw]

It's been a while since I updated here. I have way too many projects . Since I put together that kit I put together another longblock under it. 2.1 with 48idas more compression (not enough) K8 cam and solid lifters. Ect... runs nice but a bit peaky for me, IDAs are stock
progression is not optimal. I plan on a turbo and injection.
This past summer I didn't drive it much due to my 65 beetle needing attention and buying a ghia, like I need another car
I do plan on equipping my ghia with a version of this engine 2.1 stock internals with a turbo. We will see how I performs in an enclosed engine compartment with no surrounding tins. I am pretty confident it will work fine.

The cooling system works just like stock , just extremely condensed and better. The left side (driver) rad tank is like a reservoir for the hot water coming out of both sides and all 4 corners of the cylinder heads.
the bottom of the BMW thermostat is tied into this tank.
the side outlet of the thermostat housing goes to the return back to the water pump.
When the engine is cold it recycles the water until the thermostat opens
the top fitting on the thermostat goes to the right side (pass) radiator tank this is normally closed when the engine is cold blocking coolant from passing through the radiator on the return side.
Once the engine warms up the lower valve closes and the top valve opens. This allows water to flow through the radiator and closes off the lower radiator bypass.
Coolant flow is now from water jacket -out heads (4 corners)-into left radiator tank -across radiator- into right tank-through pipe into top of thermostat- out side port of thermostat -back to waterpump inlet- repeat
Also radiator fill is at the top of the right side tank

[eserv]

Hello Joe!
Thanks for the update! I am not familiar with the BMW 318 thermostat. was there a reason besides convenience that you are forcing the coolant up through the rad rather than down like most of the world does it? you wrote that the rad is from a Honda, do you remember what model? And, where did you get that fan? looks like about 12" ccw , not common at all!

[Joe vw]

The radiator is a cross flow (sideways) , all coolant enters the left (driver) side tank and exits the right side tank and returns to the left side via aluminum pipe that happens to be high for bleeding purposes.
The BMW 318 thermostat is from an early 80's one. It is originally installed directly in the hoses, it's a nice compact design that is fairly inexpensive.
The fan is from summit racing, originally it was 13" but I cut it down to it's minimum without weakening it.
The Honda radiator can be found on E-bay for a 92-2000 civic 3 core. But I found if you buy a 240SX 3core for drifting you can make 2 out of 1. Aluminum tig welding is required either way.

[andy198712]

cheers for the info