Heater/cooling flaps and thermostat

[original68]

The previous owner thought it would be a good idea to remove the tins and thermostat and such since we are in hot climate. I've gathered all the tins and such except the Flaps and thermostat. does anyone know if all the flaps are the same? or could i put a dog house shroud on the single port?

[68autobug]

Yes You can use a doghouse oil cooler and fan housing with the wider fan..
I did run one for a few years....
I have the original fan shroud etc back on and using an external oil cooler
I have used a few remote oil coolers ..
and are still experimenting.... have another oil cooler to put under the car...
maybe two...  its summer here again in Australia..
32c degrees during the day and is usually 40C+ around Christmas day into february..
so, I have an engine lid off a 1976 beetle with the 4 vents..
I also have the engine lid open at the top.. about 3 inches..
which helps the air to circulate in the engine bay..

The flaps are Very important to direct air where its supposed to go...
many people took them out along with thew thermostats [in Australia]
Very few beetles have thermostats in Australia... even though the temperature gets to Zero c here in the winter
I was told the VW mechanics were advised to take the thermostats off at the first service here in Australia..
so, its hard to find one over here...

I have the flaps open all the time... spring loaded..
the VW engine oil relief valve directs oil to the engine when the oil is cold and thick..
when it gets warm and thinner some of the oil is directed thru the oil cooler..
when the oil gets HOT and very thin all the oil is directed thru the oil cooler...
I did buy a new engine thermostat kit from the USA but have never fitted it... lol

cheers

LEE in Australia

[original68]

Lee,

Once again you're a wealth of information. thanks so much. if i go with the dog house style fan shround. do i need to get a later style oil cooler? Or is the shround just a different shape and using the same style oil cooler?

[hercdriver]

You can find what you're looking for on www.thesamba.com if you want piece everything together and save a few bucks. Or you could give this guy a try http://www.awesomepowdercoat.com/thermostat_flaps.html he's already done the dirty work.

Glad to see your putting them back in.

[original68]

Thanks Hercdriver:

I found the flaps today on the samba. I think I'll go with the Mexican style Thermo and such. I'm a big believer in the car was designed that way it should stay that way. I also spend a bit of time in a cooler climate and I want the car to run properly.

[hercdriver]

Good score. I'm with you. If a team of German engineers thought it was needed, who am I to rethink it?

[68autobug]

well
I found My new mexican thermostat kit today...
but the clip that holds the rod onto the flap is broken off...
so, I'm looking for another set of flaps...
unless I can make up a clip....

LEE

[volkenstein]

Fellas,
       

Mexican style Thermo

.

Be very careful. IIRC these fail in the flaps CLOSED position whereas OG ones fail OPEN.

I don't know whether they have changed in design lately but that is the way they were made. Search on TheSamba.
A fair few threads on this.

Hazy memory tells me that CB also do complete PUMA shrouds which are low profile but still OG. I think they require you to fit your own flaps. Glenn on thesamba could answer what is required. PM him over there if you feel the need.

You may be just better off just getting the bits you need second hand. Oh yeah, you'll need adapter seals if you convert to doghouse due to the gallery size difference.


HTH
Volkenstein

[original68]

Lee, and Volkenstein:

I chickened out and bought OG. Here in Sunny hot and humid South Florida I figured better safe then sorry!

Thanks for all the info.

[68autobug]

Hi

Very difficult to find any beetle with an Original VW thermostat over here...

its a shame they were trashed instead of being put in a box...??

I wonder how the quality is on the mexican thermostats?

maybe use a long choke cable to open the flaps ?

seeing many VW owners have taken the flaps out, a thermostat isn't going to help them.... lol

LEE

or I just start crawling under the back of any Beetle You happen to see...??  lol