I found it and couldn't figure out its purpose either.  My best guess is
that it helps direct a bit more flow toward the defroster vents.  I left it
out and didn't find much difference in heat output.  The heater core can't
keep up with the amount of air rammed through the system at highway speeds.
I have to close off the vents almost completely to make it blow hot air if
the outside temps are really low.
-Hans

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray Brubaker" <sibuk@JUNO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 6:00 PM
Subject: [VANAGON] Heater core baffle, remove or not?

> I am in the midst of changing the front heater fan assembly on my '86
> Syncro. I noticed that the heater core has a baffle plate (PN 251 265
> 329) under it that blocks airflow to about half the heater core. Does
> anyone know why this is there? I am thinking about leaving this out so I
> would get more or quicker heat. Has anyone tried this and found some
> reason that it wasn't good?
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> Ray
>