1973 air cleaner

[rayar3]

I have a 73 Beetle autostick (std, not SB). It has a generator but has the paper air filter. Date on the filter housing says 8/73. Anyone know if it should be there or it should be an oil bath? Any reason for me to stick with this one or change back to an oil bath type?

And yes, I know there are missing vac hoses. Beetle was in storage since the early 90's. It's a work in progress!

[bluedirtbeetle]

The Bentley manual actually recommends the replacement of the oil bath with the paper element for ease of maintenance. I'd leave it...
_________________
1973 Standard Beetle All stock
1969 Standard Beetle All ??

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.
- Benjamin Franklin

[docdanracy]

Keep it and hook all the vac hoses up correctly!

_________________
Doc
1970 Sunroof Bug Yukon Yellow (L19K)
Custom 6.5x15” 914 Sport Wheels wrapped in 185x65x15 Contis
Empi shifter, full compliment of gauges, 1679 with mild cam, stock induction

SOLD: 1974 Marina Blue Standard Beetle undergoing restoration/preservation
1679 with Kadrons and header/QP
914 sport wheels 5.5" ET40 wrapped in 195x65x15 Kumhos

[rayar3]

Thanks for that picture! My pic was old. I hooked up all the lines today and it started without any argument. Tune up tomorrow. I got lucky because the fuel tank was clean and non of the lines on the car were dry rotted. Either way I've got all new soft lines for it anyway and I'm going to relocate the fuel filter out of the fire zone.

[IHC]

I was at the Port of Vancouver Washington VW terminal, which recieved all VWs for the Riviera distributorship (Oregon /Washington / Idaho and?), in September 1972 and saw the first load of curved windshield Supers. I checked several of them and they all had generators and oil bath aircleaners .At that time I also worked a block away from a VW dealer and dont recall seeing a alternator /paper airfilter Bug until later in the 73 model year.

[docdanracy]

Check the vin# build sticker on the drivers door post...see when your car was built...
_________________
Doc
1970 Sunroof Bug Yukon Yellow (L19K)
Custom 6.5x15” 914 Sport Wheels wrapped in 185x65x15 Contis
Empi shifter, full compliment of gauges, 1679 with mild cam, stock induction

SOLD: 1974 Marina Blue Standard Beetle undergoing restoration/preservation
1679 with Kadrons and header/QP
914 sport wheels 5.5" ET40 wrapped in 195x65x15 Kumhos

[buzz93]

I have a '73 standard that I have had since it was new. It has an oil bath cleaner, but if I remember correctly VW changed to paper sometime in mid '73

[19super73]

The paper filter and alternator were mid year changes along with the updated MS front end and different fuel pump due to the change to alternator. Could be that the car was upgraded some point during it's life.

I prefer the paper filter type as it's less of a mess and hassle. There are those that will say the oil bath is better and they prefer it. Either way, it's your choice what you run.
_________________
1970 Campmobile [url=https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-47260.png]Click to view image[/URL]
1970 Fastback 1600 TL
1971 Doka [url=https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-14845.png]Click to view image[/URL]
1973 Super Beetle
1973 Westfalia [url=https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-31892.png]Click to view image[/URL]
1974 412 Variant
1975 La Grande Bug
1984 Vanagon

[GatorJZ]

[mnussbau]

I had a '73 bug with paper air cleaner and alternator, it was a late model year build. Early builds may have had paper with generator. Then again, I see a cut off EGR valve ('74 model year) next to the generator so who knows what's been messed with.

What's the build date on yours?
_________________
Mike
Sold my sedan
Parts...

[rayar3]

Okay the first 6 of the vin is 113229 meaning it was built sometime between Oct 4-31, 1972. The air cleaner top has an 8-73 molded into it. I assumed that was the manufacture date? Maybe a dealer ad-on? The car was also hit at some time early on because there's a fuel injected rear apron that was replaced very well. I do not know if the engine lid was changed. It doesn't have any drill holes for the VW logo in it either.

The EGR also stumps me a little. I've been looking at a lot of 1973 pictures but none of them have a male end so close to the valve. Most have a long tube attached to the EGR and it connects to the bottom. I thought that maybe the PO modified or cut the tube, but it looks factory since there's a threaded end on it. Could it be something that he modified to pass an inspection and then removed? I don't know.

I'm trying to decide whether or not to reconnect the EGR system. I don't really care about the emissions aspect of it, but will the car run better with the system operational?

My goal is reliability because this car is for my mom and for the rest of the family to enjoy. I don't want a 100 point car. Just something that looks factory that I can bring to the local shows.

But for now the car runs and I'm in the middle of trouble shooting the generator light that stays on. One thing at a time...

[Superbug Scott]

FYI, my early build 73 had paper with generator

[idono]