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Thermostat Parts for Fan Fins Missing

FM Former Member
As you know, I am rebuilding a 71 1600cc engine and I have been unable to locate a VW Thermostat which controls the Fan fins.

A stock type 1 engine has flaps up inside the shroud (one on each side) that are controlled by the thermostat. In cold weather the flaps are closed (thermostat is compressed) so that most air from the cooling fan doesn't go over the heads and cylinders. As the engine heats up, the thermostat opens (bellows expand) and pulls down on a rod that opens the flaps to allow air to flow over heads and cylinders.

During warm weather operation the flaps are fully open and do not impede cooling; in colder weather the flaps stay partially closed so that the engine maintains an operating temperature within the designed range.

I have been told that many performance engine builders remove the thermostat and flaps from engines and use a Oil Cooling Thermostat instead.

I have unable to locate any of the pieces for the Air Cooled portion (shaft, springs, thermostat, thermostat bracket, and operating rod from thermostat to flaps).

Do you have any recommendations. I live in Georgia.

Thanks,
Brian
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FM Former Member
As you know, I am rebuilding a 71 1600cc engine and I have been unable to locate a VW Thermostat which controls the Fan fins.

A stock type 1 engine has flaps up inside the shroud (one on each side) that are controlled by the thermostat. In cold weather the flaps are closed (thermostat is compressed) so that most air from the cooling fan doesn't go over the heads and cylinders. As the engine heats up, the thermostat opens (bellows expand) and pulls down on a rod that opens the flaps to allow air to flow over heads and cylinders.

During warm weather operation the flaps are fully open and do not impede cooling; in colder weather the flaps stay partially closed so that the engine maintains an operating temperature within the designed range.

I have been told that many performance engine builders remove the thermostat and flaps from engines and use a Oil Cooling Thermostat instead.

I have unable to locate any of the pieces for the Air Cooled portion (shaft, springs, thermostat, thermostat bracket, and operating rod from thermostat to flaps).

Do you have any recommendations. I live in Georgia.

Thanks,
Brian
FM Former Member
Wrecking yards. Any old beetle fan shroud should have the parts.

I just noticed my VS is missing all the parts as well. I am hoping that I can retro the parts into the aftermarket repro fan shroud. I have a few stocker engines in my garage for my beetles.

(Message Edited 12/17/2002 9:09:54 PM)
HogndogzHogndogz
Brian: I went through the same search last summer. My newly acquired '79 IM ran really hot. I did a search for used VW parts and found a wrecking yard in California that sent me the doghouse fan shroud, oil cooler, 2 thermostats, bracket and linkage for under $200.
I purchased a new wide fan locally. What a difference it made! Sorry, I can't recall the name of the wrecking yard. It shouldn't be too hard to find what you need in Calif.

Chuck
oldyeleroldyeler
I will go to Mr Vestal tomorrow . The 2.0 Massive 4 .I got from John Helgersen will be here today Now that's a nice birthday present Would have been nicer if I has rich Uncle. to pay for but it is payed for it



I am sure I can get what you need, and maybe Just maybe a thermestat with hanger.

Oh I also got some new cylinder tins, I will not be useing and they have the air shields between the plugs too, very correct parts for a 1600cc i may need to find another complete kit John talked like I need to really use those parts Like I said there are lots a parts there Don't panic

(Message Edited 12/30/2002 5:40:31 PM)
oldyeleroldyeler
Brian; Jake told me as long as I give it a chance to warm up,It would be fine with out the flaps ,and type 4s run much cooler than type 1,s Your main concern should be carberater icing and any oil bath air cleaner can be converted to dry pack and then you have the preheat air pipe you need to warm the air on cool mornining I have a Karman Ghia setup here that I will not be useing for sure now and it has the K&N reusable filter in it. $50 and its yours and I am still not breaking even then the air cleaner and pipes were $35. and the filter was $30 or so.
FM Former Member
Great...

Thanks for the offer.. I accept. Some questions though as you are akey source of knowledge. When you talk about air intake grill for the back of my fan shroud, what do you mean.

I have reviewed all the manuals and engine schematics and I do not see reference to that. Is that for fresh Air? Cool Air?

Let me know and as always... thanks
Brian
oldyeleroldyeler
Their is a trick that you fella's realy need to know. on the screw in senders . IT can be dye ground on one of the flats of the hex nut and braze on a flag tab for a wire ground. It's a neat trick but the sender needs to be suppended in a cooling putty like Eastwood sells while you braze on the tab .. Then you can run a ground to it.
FM Former Member
I had an VDO oil temp sender that threaded into the bolt-on sump and it didn't work well; it may have been installed with teflon thread sealer which would screw up the electric ground path.

Anyway, I bought a VDO dipstick sender; it uses two wires - the normal gauge wire and a ground, is adjustable for length (set screw), and you bend it to clear the alternator support and fan belt. Works fine and gauge reads correctly.

(Message Edited 1/14/2003 1:19:58 PM)
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