TheSamba.com :: View topic - A different heater channel question; after 7 pages of search

Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:00 pm

The heater channels that Aircooled,net and Oeveedub.com have for 69-78 Beetles are NOS and it is mentioned that they will fit the earlier cars. The vent area, though, would be in the wrong location and could be moved.

Here's my question: I've seen somewhere before of people going this route, but I'm wanting to know if the general shape of the channel outside of the vent area is close enough to what was in my '61? I like the idea of using what is probably a better quality channel... and I don't mine doing the work of grafting the needed pieces off of the old channels (those areas are solid)... I'm just wondering if it's going to look okay when it's all done. If anyone knows where a pic is, I'd like to see it too.

Alan

Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:14 am

The vent area on the later channels have a square cross section. Your '61 has a round cross section in this area. I've put late channels in a '66 once, but did not move the vents. Sorry I don't have any pics of what I am describing.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:31 pm

Thanks Brett,

That's what I'm talking about... grafting the original vent into the proper location and then also grafting the square area out with some of the old channel as well. I've seen pics before somewhere... does the rest of the newer channel mimic the shape of the older units?

Alan

Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:20 pm

Going from memory and without removing the carpet on my '72 I believe the cross sections are slightly different. A couple of other things to consider besides moving the outlet are:

- The HC inlet under the rear seat is different and will need to be modified. Your '61 is smaller and the tube is welded in versus the later plastic tube.
- The carpet pinch strip is different but could easily be fabricated. I'm not sure if anyone sells this.

I've never put in aftermarket HCs so I couldn't say whether modifying later channels vs wrestling aftermarket channels is worth the effort.