Probably be JP stuff same as anyone else sells. If you want them for actual heat you would be better trying to source some genuine and getting them blasted and powder coated. Far better fins for more heat
Well... usual repro ones provide heat, and because they wont be rotted out, they will probably work better, things like the air control flaps will work properly. The finer fins on the original heat exchangers produce hotter air- there was a time when people were melting replacement concertina tubes with the stock original heat exchangers, but that time seems to have gone . But if you are only replacing original ones for the first time, keep the old ones and they may be repairable unless the exhaust tubes are too rotted out - that's happening to my replacements after about 50-90k miles. Its worth re-skinning original ones . I very much regret throwing mine in the skip. Look down the air inlet holes at the rear, if the old ones show finer fins than the new ones, then they will be original..
I fitted some repro ones 2 years ago, went for their “ better “ ones. Decent weight of material , couldn’t see the fins, but lots of gaps in metal bends etc which needed to be epoxy filled to save losing all the heat. But, all in all not too bad.
I’ve got repros fitted at the moment. They do give out heat , more than I got with the og ones however they were rusty and had holes. Replacing all the damaged/ poorly fitting pipe work also helped incl new repro control pods that actually seal, and correctly adjusted cables. I actually managed to find some good condition og units which I’ve refurbished which I’ll fit at some point. My suggestion would be to find some original units if you can. It’s not hard to clean them up, wire brush and repair/ repaint. Cheaper than some new repros and more heat.
Not wishing to contradict you, but I've read somewhere that it is not Asbestos...possibly on The Samba.....not sure and probably worth assuming it is Asbestos, but would love to definitely find out as I'll be doing mine one day.
I cant see why they'd need asbestos or similar in them - concertina tube collars possibly, but best to be cautious.
I would definitely refurb your OG ones if that's an option. I did mine and they give loads of heat. I wouldn't buy the JK Marmite. I've got loads of photos of every stage of doing mine - they're all on here somewhere. I'm actually about to do another set I just acquired, which I may sell when done. Edit: mine are type 4
I’ve seen them ‘refurbished’ with modern day header heat wrap,around the internal pipe. Is that what you mean?
A fair while ago a member on here sent the insulation and the conduit collars away to be tested. The heat exchanger insulation was fibreglass and the collars were asbestos. There are high temperature resistant rubber/silicone type collars available now.
No worries. I'd read that it was on thesamba but in practice they probably changed the spec across the various years - mine's a 78 with triangle /usa spec flanges. I've just spruced up a pair but i deliberately got a couple that had only surface rust, so the refurbishment was just clean up and re-paint, plus one needed some minor holes filling up with jb weld, so no need to split them. As you say, best to assume the worst though if you did need to take some apart.
heat exchanger rebuild. you'll have to join the forum to get the pictures full size 2 ltr type 4 engine re-build journey | Page 3 | KombiClub Australia Forums
