NOS Heater Channels?

[OvalWindowBucket]

Does anyone know where i might be able to get my hands on NOS Heater Channel replacements, or can anyone tell me when the heater channels changed? My vents are up front, near the frame head and pedal assembly on my 1956 beetle, i was wondering what year these vents/channels changed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks you.

[oldovaldriver]

It's going to be hard to find NOS heater channels. That's a part almost everyone needs, and I'm sure the supply of original parts is long gone, especially for an oval.

VW Trends did an article on the pros and cons of various available aftermarket heater channels about 2-3 years ago. It was a good article, and it included tips on modifying heater channels for various years. It also compared the quality of different manufacturers. Does anyone remember the month and year of the article?

-Paul

[OvalWindowBucket]

Really? If i could find the month and year i could order it from VWTrends i believe... I need to learn how to do some basic welding, i would like to do it myself but never took metal shop in high shcool. I could take a basic welding class at the local community college i believe.

Ive been stripping the pan and locating most of the existing rust...
Some things i didnt notice when i bought it :(

But whatever..

[oldovaldriver]

Dear Ovalwindow,

The heater-channel article was in the September 2000 VW Trends, on pages 72-73. Hope that helps!

-Paul

[OvalWindowBucket]

Thanks a lot

[Anti-]

Ovalwindow,
I have read, but not verified independently, that IGP makes a "no-heat" replacement channel. This would be the best starting point for you, as you could graft your front vents and rear inlet into them, ending up with a close match to the original.

Good luck
Chris
JHC

[OvalWindowBucket]

My heater vents are what is rusted, and the driver side channel has a couple rust holes along the bottom near the pan, but just a few. Also the passenger side channel has a hole where it meets the front door pillar. I figured that if i por-15'd the inside of the channels i could just replace a couple section, but that depends on if im going to pull the body or not. Ive bought pan halves, brazilian but i hope theyll work.

[Major Woody]

Ovalwindow,
I suggest you replace the heater channel bottom plates and patch weld the problems only. Your damage sounds less severe than what my 56 had and I'm glad I didn't attempt to replace the entire channel.

Removing and replacing the bottom plates will also give you full access to the inside of the channel so you can weld, repair and rustproof it properly before you close it back up.

If you are working on a bare shell, you can turn the car onto its side for this operation, which makes it much easier.

Chris
JHC

[OvalWindowBucket]

Ok, ill take that into heavy consideration. I will be removing the body from the pan soon, but im just afraid of warping my body. Right near the frame head/driver's side ehear vent there is a hold which extends through the front fire wall, and some other ones that i thought might comprimise its stability when off the pan. Does anyone know how much a heat channel/body alignment jig costs, approx?


Thanks...

[Major Woody]

You should search old threads on this topic. I have seen one after another person on here say that they did not have any problems keeping the body in alignment when replacing entire channels. If you don't brace the door openings, you might weld a piece of angle iron across the bottom third of both door openings. I would tack weld the channels in place and test fit the doors before proceeding with final welding.

I also had holes in the lower front of my firewall. They are part of the fix and are pretty easy to repair when the bottom plates are off.

[[email protected]]

If your heater channels are not good enough to support the door opening it is a good idea to tack apiece of tubing accross the door opening before you remove the body from the pan. This will help support the body from twisting/bending. I have ordered heater channels from different venders. Good heater channels cost 110 -160 a piece. There is one company that offers them for 59.95 in HVWs. They advertise them as with heat vent openings. They do not have the heat tube inside. Stay away from them. You want the kind that has the heat tube inside. Unless you don't need heat. Good luck on your restoration.