TheSamba.com :: View topic - Desperate for 356 engine tin

Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:51 am

Gents,
I am finishing my 1951 356 Coupe and ALL I am missing is the rearmost engine tin. I am using a early 912-engine, so what I need is any type of rear engine tin from a 356-engine, preferrably a late one. I will be altering it anyhow to fit the old engine bay.

I have lined up several of the other missing parts for pick up during my trip to the VW Classic this coming weekend - but so far no luck with this last missing piece...

Does anybody know a source for such engine tin in the LA-area? How about that old place "Best Buy Porsche Parts" in Stanton - are they still around? Anybody going to the Classic that can sell me such a tin?

Any leads appreciated....I really need this. Thanks!

Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:38 am

Have you tried the guys at EASY? They are in the bay area but might be able to ship to your hotel.

www.easypor.com

Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:30 pm

356 used modified VW 36hp style rear shrouds until about 1963. Porsche then produced their own piece. Why alter an expensive, difficult to find 356 part? I am sure that you can easily find a 36hp part.

Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:17 pm

Do you have a photo?

If it's the same as a 36hp engine, I have a stack of them but there are still a few differences.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:09 am

i will try to take and post photos tomorrow. BTW, to my knowledge (42yrs 356 experience), all 356 engine bay openings are the same dimension, Carrera's excepted. Unsure of all the Gmund cars.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:50 am

Thank you very much for all good inputs!

I have mountains of VW-tin myself and none of them fit properly to the 356-engine - the "way the metal meets the engine" is very different.

I have also noted that the fanshroud itself on the Porsche engine is a modified VW 30/34 HP-part. I am not talking about the shroud - this is the rearmost, horisontal bolt-in sheet metal cover / tin. Like the tin around the cylinders - it is unique for the Porsche engines.

Thanks for the info on the engine opening in the body itself, I always assumed it got larger when you got into the A, B and C-cars - but probably not. That means I will NOT have to modify this tin then.

I have sent an email to EASY.

So - still looking... Rearmost engine tin for a 356-engine. Anyone?

Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:28 am

Correct rear breast tin for 2pcs 356 engines are very hard to find , expect to pay around $ 500.00US for a decent one. same thing with the flapper boxes. .

I am still looking for this part (rear breast tin ) everyday.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:27 am

Porsche also used modified 36hp style FAN shrouds through 1969 912's. As I said earlier, the horizontal rearmost tin or "breastplate" is also modified VW 36hp style, for 2 piece as well as 3 piece cases. Depending on application, they were trimmed around the dipstick and fuel pump area. The ends beyond where the heat riser located were cut off and different stampings were spot welded in place to match the wider 356 engine bay opening which was required to install assembled engines with dual carbs. On the Porsche, the engine compartment seal attaches to the perimeter shroud, as opposed to the body on VW, requiring a channel to be spot welded on the edge as well. Many earlier "breastplates" also have the hinged flap for VW hand crank in place but welded shut, proving this "unique" piece started life as a VW part. SP stated that he is using a 912 engine so he will not need the 2 piece case style. Rusty Bottoms, a samba advertiser in Atlanta, Georgia, sometimes has them for sale in the classified section. T6 european delivery style are different yet but can easily be modified to work if you are not using the carb preheater system.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:32 pm

Upper piece is Porsche, lower piece is VW. Chalk lines indicate where Porsche cut VW tin and added modified pieces to fit their needs.
Detail of right side of VW tin.

Corresponding Porsche tin.

Left side VW -> Porsche

A channel for the engine seal rubber is spot welded on the Porsche tin, unlike the VW's, on top.

A selection of rear tin. The bottom one is 36hp VW.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:01 pm

Awesome photo set. I learned something today. Thanks.

Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:16 pm

contact gary emory at parts obsolete there web site, he has a large i mean BIGGGG 356 parts collection jd

Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:34 pm

vwsurfari:
Great explanation! Very informative - thank you!

Seeing that you are in Orange County with at least 3 pieces of Porsche tin on your garage floor - you can't avoid the question: Can you sell me one of the Porsche pieces? I pay cash and pick up myself during this coming saturday-thursday. ???