Upgrading Plastic Flanges on a Digifant.

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Briano1234
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Upgrading Plastic Flanges on a Digifant.

Post by Briano1234 »

Well, I still hate plastic parts, as I have had to replace yet another outlet flange on my car......Good thing I buy spares....

But wait there is more.
From a thread that Ron did many years ago I remembered it and finally started to investigate.
It is now safe to say that I have gotten rid of the farging fecking(irish) plastic outlet flanges on my Digifant car.

I don't have pics of it but I can tell you what I did.
I came to the conclusion that the vibration of the upper radiator hose over time weakened the plastic mount ears, lets face it, the dam thing is under engine torque vibration all the frigging time. It is an accident waiting to happen a plastic time bomb.

I ordered 2 of the new improved metal t-stat covers.
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I replaced the drivers side outlet flanges ages ago, got them off a old Diesel Rabbit. The front upper radiator outlet flange stumped me....
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Now I have the answer Thanks Ron......
From this:
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To this
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There are 2 styles of flanges that I found at the "yard" one was off a 87 FOX with no drilled bung for a thermo run switch, and the other off a 89
Cabriolet that had the drilled bung for a thermo run. Look for the ones that don't have the oil cooler connection, or you will need to plug that one off too.

You will need a new o-ring.
You will need an oil pressure/coolant temp sender.
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You will need a CTS sensor off a 16V golf engine.
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This CTS sensor is the same electrically as the blue CTS sensor, so it will perform the same, and the connector end will be there.

You will need to reverse the position of the senders, that is the CTS sender needs to be installed on the top side of the flange, and the
temp sensor needs to be installed on the lower side of the flange, It is to prevent Gravity and vibration from loosening the CTS sensor connection.

After you connect the new flange to the engine do not fully tighten you will have to modify the coolant temp sender (black) to single pin.
You cut off the old connector, and replace the yellow/red wire with a male spad connector. You will take the brown ground wire, and place a
ring connector on it that will fit on the flange bolt (ring or open end spad will work).
Attach the ring connector over the bolt and fully tighten the flange bolts to 87 in/lbs.
Connect your Blue CTS connector to the new CTS switch.... and presto.

Along with the heater hose brass barbed fitting, you have replaced most of all the farging feckin plastic parts on a digi that are prone to breakage.

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Hope this helps folks in the future.

Now, they make a metal heater valve and it is available at Summit racing..
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So I may have to modify it a wee bit...
So you can eliminate 75 percent of all plastic parts with only the Radiator, Heater core, and Expansion jug left.
Briano

Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click.... :screwy:
84Vert
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:03 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1984
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Avon Park, Fl

Re: Upgrading Plastic Flanges on a Digifant.

Post by 84Vert »

Thanks Brian, and since the heater valve comes from Summit Racing you should get a decal that will make your car, air compressor or toolbox even faster:)

I do like the heater valve and need to order one
84 Rabbit Convertible
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Briano1234
Whats that smell?
Posts: 4105
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:45 am
What year is your cabby?: 1992
Do you own a Cabriolet?: No
Location: Duluth, Ga
Contact:

Re: Upgrading Plastic Flanges on a Digifant.

Post by Briano1234 »

As an addition, I have noticed on one of my 2 t-stat flanges that the machined metal edges are really sharp.
I took crocus cloth (sandy paper) and smoothed the edges of them a tad so that there was no way in hades that they could cut the o-ring. So on your new t-stats, smooth the machined edges.
Briano

Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety.
You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click.... :screwy:
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