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Can anyone explain the difference?

FM Former Member
I'm retrofitting the OEM German doghouse fan in my car with the thermostat system and cooling vanes. I've seen two styles of connecting links and vanes. The first one (which is the one I have) only has one connecting point between the vanes and the connecting link at each end. The other one (and that's what's shown in the Bentley Service Manual for models from 1970-on) has two connecting points between the vanes and the connecting link at each end. It makes perfect sense to me that the one I have, because of the configuration, further separates the link from the back of the shroud/doghouse oil cooler so it's better suited for doghouse models. Please look at the attached pictures that show the difference. Can anyone clarify this difference for me?
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FM Former Member
I'm retrofitting the OEM German doghouse fan in my car with the thermostat system and cooling vanes. I've seen two styles of connecting links and vanes. The first one (which is the one I have) only has one connecting point between the vanes and the connecting link at each end. The other one (and that's what's shown in the Bentley Service Manual for models from 1970-on) has two connecting points between the vanes and the connecting link at each end. It makes perfect sense to me that the one I have, because of the configuration, further separates the link from the back of the shroud/doghouse oil cooler so it's better suited for doghouse models. Please look at the attached pictures that show the difference. Can anyone clarify this difference for me?

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FM Former Member
You have a later model shroud on the left and an earlier model on the right (on the engine). As the cars progressed, and they were manufactured in various countries, the components were simplified and cheapened to the point that we now have OEM junk coming straight from South American and mexican warehouses

In addition to the added off-set bar to aid in servicing and removal of the newer shrouds, all of the bits and pieces are held together with "Jesus" clips rather than the cir-clips and tensioner springs and such that the earlier shrouds had.

Just the usual thing. Cheaper, easier, less fuss, and a built in expiration date.

FM Former Member
TC, you da man!! Those pictures were taken by Dr. David Pratt from the VW resource website and I don't think they're of the same fan shroud. In my case, both of my flap assemblies look like the first picture on the silver shroud and they are clearly left and right units because they're different. They both have just a single stud that connects to each end of the connecting link. Thanks for clarifying...it looks like I'm on the right track, now all I need is a thermostat and a 8.0 x 1.25 mm tap to tap the hole for the thermostat bracket mounting stud on the side of the block (my block was meant for a fuel injected engine and doesn't have the stud).
FM Former Member
TC, just wanted to confirm exactly what you said with a genuine VW parts manual from the era. A friend of mine in a local VW shop has it and we verified it this afternoon. Basically the connecting link with one hole per end is for the newer doghouse style engines while the one with two holes per end is for the earlier engines.

And I got lucky; not only did he lend me the tap I need to install the stud on the side of the block but he sold me a NOS German thermo that had been sitting there for eons; the last remaining one for $13.95 (!!!). Last time I checked with Gene Berg Enterprises for the same item, they had them at $69.95 and they ran out!!!
FM Former Member
SCORE! On that thermostat, I've been saving every working one that I find, the biggest thing around here is finding the "cage" that it fits into and bolts to the bottom of the block. I guess that they get thrown out or bent or ?, but they're hard to find in my area. I have a small stash of those as well.

Good for you ! ! !
FM Former Member
Guess what? As soon as I found out they had some available again I called Gene Berg Enterprises to cancel the order but they'd already sent it along with some other odds & ends. Gene's widow sold me on the idea of hanging on to it since it seems they're not going to be made anymore. I had to get the bracket and all the stuff from specialized VW junkyards.
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