TheSamba.com :: View topic - Repro Engine Tin Is Like A Box Of Chocolates...

Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:47 am

You never know what you're gonna get.

I finished yesterday remantling my single-port longblock, in the course of which I converted from an early model fan shroud with an 8-pass tubular oil cooler mounted in front of the fan intake to a doghouse cooler and a full-flow remote oil filter.

I had bought all new repro engine tin for everything except the cylinders. The repro heater channel tin didn't seem to fit at all and I didn't want to spend hours pounding and filing on it (like I did when I fitted "cool tins" to my Karmann Ghia), so I just cleaned up and painted the old ones and put them back on.

The new rear pulley tin had cutouts for the heat riser, but not the tack-welded little half-box covers for the heat riser-muffler pipe joints. I don't weld, so I cleaned, painted, and reused the old one. I'd like to know if there are any sources for repro rear pulley tin that have those little half-box covers already welded on.

Of course, I had to use new firewall tin, as I needed the exit hole for the oil cooler. It didn't fit particularly well, but was "persuaded" to get into position.

The big story was the fan shroud. I'm a disciple of Robert S. "Bob" Hoover when it comes to things VW, so I was sure to obtain and install a repro "Hoover bit" for the oil cooler. However, when I tried to position the fan shroud, it had a mysterious teeter-totter motion, so I couldn't put both end screws in at the same time. It took me the longest time to find the fulcrum of the teetering. It was the "Hoover bit"! The fan shroud was hanging up on it. After first filing on and then entirely removing the bit, the shroud fit well enough to complete the installation. Looking and feeling around the oil cooler led me to the conclusion that it had been designed as it were with a built-in "Hoover bit", the shroud tin fitting snugly against the bottom of the oil cooler to block the flow of air that would otherwise not pass through the cooler. Possibly the engineer knew that many (most?) rebuilders discarded the Hoover bit and so accommodated this into the construction of the shroud.

And, oh! I put in the two little air dams that fit on the undersides of the left and right cylinder tins. They fit perfectly!

That's all I've got to say about that.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:55 am

Nothing fits like OEM... i thought you knew already.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:10 am

I always know what I am getting with aftermarket tin. Junk.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:23 am

futhark wrote: Looking and feeling around the oil cooler led me to the conclusion that it had been designed as it were with a built-in "Hoover bit", the shroud tin fitting snugly against the bottom of the oil cooler to block the flow of air that would otherwise not pass through the cooler. Possibly the engineer knew that many (most?) rebuilders discarded the Hoover bit and so accommodated this into the construction of the shroud.

And, oh! I put in the two little air dams that fit on the undersides of the left and right cylinder tins. They fit perfectly!

Would you happen to know the manufacturer of the fan shroud? I'm curious to know which one has this profile and if it has the correct internal air vanes.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:14 pm

I was very happy with my Scat tin from cip1. Yes it took some trimming and fitting, but it was a ot less hassle then starting with the rusty junk i find in my neck of the woods.

Alex

Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:20 pm

The Scat tin is the best of the bad.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:05 pm

reminds me of a time not to long ago....

right mini? :x

Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:40 pm

dog_jr911 wrote: reminds me of a time not to long ago....

right mini? :x

I have only one sentiment for your choice of cooling system hardware: :fist:

Please people, use OEM tins! I know it might take a little more work, or a little more time and/or money, but not having to deal with the hassle of the aftermarket is worth it!

Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:02 am

i think its more of a case of the hoover bits break rather than get chucked out
most of mine still have them luckily but the 2 that didnt both still had the screw in the oil cooler with the last broken piece left behind when it broke

ill never use aftermarket tinware
dad has it on his trike and the cylinder tins have cracked badly around the manifolds and the 36hp shroud dropped one deflector into the fan and when we took it off to repair that we found that another had fallen down and was almost completly blocking the air to 3 & 4

ive just had all my original german tin sand blasted and powder coated.
best move i ever made and it was cheaper than buying crappy after market chrome tin and it means i can keep my thermostat and flaps

Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:28 am

Well, I had nothing to start with, and it's not really easy to find decent tinware around here anymore, so I purchased the entire kit from CB...

New fan, complete Cal-look tinware, with the 36 Hp shroud with doghouse cooler. It's been powdercoated and is waiting to go on. Hopefully it works out alright.

The tinware feels real heavy and has a good feel of quality to it. The shroud is well-made, and has all the correct vanes, etc.

I'll post an update when it goes together in a few weeks.

N.

Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:06 pm

miniman82 wrote: dog_jr911 wrote: reminds me of a time not to long ago....

right mini? :x

I have only one sentiment for your choice of cooling system hardware: :fist:

Please people, use OEM tins! I know it might take a little more work, or a little more time and/or money, but not having to deal with the hassle of the aftermarket is worth it!

it CAME with the engine, lol! :roll:
:wink: