VW Engine Firewall Tin Removal

If the doghouse air exit piece is held on with a bolt (10mm head) instead of a slotted screw it should be. You will have to remove the cooler cover (again, hope it's held on with a bolt or it will be difficult to manage in the car) first. If slotted screws have been used it shouldn't be impossible, just more difficult. Note that if you remove the firewall tin, the doghouse tin should be extended down further so the warm air expelled doesn't recirculate into the engine compartment. Some cheap aluminum air ducting would do it.

Something to think about; instead of removing the flywheel breast plate, a 6 or 8" round hole in the firewall above the tin (directly in front of the fan intake in the shroud; it could be screened) would accomplish the same thing and lessen the chance of the fan intake getting plugged with something sucked up from off the street.

There's also screws that go into the 'sled tins' under the cylinders.

ALB:

Thanks for your reply and assistance.  Got it.  First remove the cooler cover, then the cooler air exit.

I did and still am considering making the hole in the firewell, like I see in the current Vintage cars that Kirk is building.  I think to do that, however, I'd need to drop the engine as I'd like the opening to dip alittle below the top of the doghouse and be close to the fan air intake.

For now I just want to seal up the engine compartment between the firewall and the engine at least over both sides above the heat exchanger, leaving 6-10 inches open in the middle over the transxle.

I am sure at some point I will drop the engine, and when I do that I will go for the firewall hole.

Thanks again, Grant

Hello Doug - I was able to get to the two screws that you mentioned pretty easily.  I just didn't know how to access the screw to the doghouse air exit.  Got it now.

Thanks, Grant

Drop the motor, it's easy.

Grant- For now removing the flywheel tin will do the trick. It probably won't ever happen, but just be aware that any sudden increase in the motor's temp could be a rag, plastic bag or even big leaves in the fan intake. Simple enough to reach in and remove (with the motor off, of course!). And you're welcome. Al

PS- And yes, cutting a hole in the firewall really should be done with the motor out; once you've done it a couple of times it's not a big deal.