My 1980 air cooled model with TD conversion has no front heater core (yet anyways).. 
yet I still get a 'hot foot syndrome'  though not bothersome, (maybe it is worse w/front core) 
my hot foot comes from the rad heating the bulkhead..  have a valve for that?

though I do appreciate your efforts fro the vanagon community..  just wanted to point it could be a lot of rad heat.
Dan stevens
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From: ctonline@webtv.net 
Subject: New Accessory Front Heater Valve Shut Off Valve.

Some of you have heard me talk about, or mention a sloution to the "Hot
Foot" problem in the 83.5 to 91 Vanagon's durring the really hot summer
months.

After making a few for some folks I have decided to offer them to
all----

It's a simple, foolproof update, and it works much better than the
stock, impossible to get to shut off valve---and it's located
upstairs--right under the heater cover.

Flip it closed in the summer, flip it open in the winter.

No groaping under the vehicle, no removing the spare tire, no playing
Harry Houdini trying to adjust the bad to get at clip that seems to slip
outa place all the time, or moving the worn out heater cable.

Check it out down below in the "Van Stuff" web page below----you'll be
glad you did--- 

This is one bullet proof solution, and is really simple to install and
operate---