A guy at Action Import suggested a boat bilge blower. I asked my Dad about that. He says that bilge blowers are generally kind of noisy, and not all that inexpensive. A late model Bug or Bus blower would be less expensive (probably), and you can pick one up at the next VW show.
This is a bad place to put a heater blower fan.
I got a used late model Bus blower fan from a fellow VW enthusiast. I installed that inside the car on the firewall. I cut a hole through the firewall for the 1 1/2 ID heater tubing (actually carburettor pre-heater tubing). I ran the tubing around the back (back is back of the car) of the engine compartment, over to the driver side heat exchanger. I still haven't figured a reliable way to keep it out of the fan belt, but it's ok for the moment. I've already plugged the floor heater vent, and one of the dinky defroster tubes. Now all the air comes out the side and middle defroster vents. I wired up 14 ga. wire and a switch for the fan. Luckily, I ran an extra wire when I ran a wire bundle from the trunk (front) to the engine compartment.
Tom's Baja: Heater Blower
It works. The fan is loud. On top of that, there's more noise from the engine compartment, though I can seal some of that out. OI'm currently only blowing air through the driver side heating system, and it is an acceptable amount of air. I think each side needs a separate fan.
Yes, that's Dynamat sound damping. This little Bug will be quiet...sooner or later. Yep, Godzilla cup holder too.
Yes, that's Dynamat sound damping. This little Bug will be quiet...sooner or later. Yep, Godzilla cup holder too.
This is better. Put the fan into the ductwork under the rear seat. Easy for me, since I removed the rear seat, and put carpet back there.
Wow! Bugs are roomy in back!
Wow! Bugs are roomy in back!
I removed that Y piece that normally sends some air under the driver seat. The arrow and little white marks show where there is a 90 degreen turn between the fan outlet and the rear of the heater channel. I no longer have heat in the rear footwell. Being selfish, I want all the heat up front.
The large pipe is from a heating/air conditioning supplier. Inexpensive. Cut at an angle to fit the inlet of the bus blower fan.
The large pipe is from a heating/air conditioning supplier. Inexpensive. Cut at an angle to fit the inlet of the bus blower fan.