TheSamba.com :: View topic - Early Type IV Sled tin vs later, swappable?

Thu Jul 17, 2025 2:32 pm

So, somehow the passenger side sled tin on my '74 westy took an unapproved leave of absence at some point and I'd like to get something back on there. I see that the earlier type IV's like mine have a different piece than the '75 to '79 ones. Does anyone happen to know if you can run one of the later tins on an earlier motor? I'm finding that my piece is pretty solidly unobtanium, but the later ones are able to be found. I'm close to just getting out the tin snips and sheet steel to fab something up, since the original piece isn't exactly shaped super complicated. To my understanding it isn't super important for cooling except that it gets the thermostat to open, and I'm of the sort to actually make sure my thermostat is functional and adjusted properly.

So again, does anyone know if you can just run the later tin on a slightly earlier motor? I've messaged a bunch of people on the classifieds and hit ebay, still following up leads, but thus far no dice.

Thanks!

Photo of the appropriate piece from Avery's aircooled (who don't have any right now)

Thu Jul 17, 2025 3:23 pm

No doubt you've seen this ad: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2713338

It depends on your metalworking skills and how much your time is worth, the 75+ heat exchanger moved outboard and an F pipe collector went in it's place, the tin got a dent to clear the pipe.
I can't say I've ever tried to adapt it, but it might be possible, looks like one of those jobs that turns into a career to me.
Wrong side of it pictured compared to yours, but it shows the difference, think you can flatten out that wing on the outer edge?. There's also alot missing at the front since that collector pipe goes forward before looping back to the HE.

Thu Jul 17, 2025 4:16 pm

agreendaya wrote: To my understanding it isn't super important for cooling except that it gets the thermostat to open

if you drive on a dusty road without those tins it will make a massive dust cloud too, especially if your bus is lowered

Fri Jul 18, 2025 7:13 am

busdaddy wrote: No doubt you've seen this ad: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2713338

It depends on your metalworking skills and how much your time is worth, the 75+ heat exchanger moved outboard and an F pipe collector went in it's place, the tin got a dent to clear the pipe.

Thanks, I have messaged them but haven't heard back yet.

Sounds like my nonexistent metalworking skills would be too taxed trying to modify that later one. Still might wind up trying to make a template with cardboard and cut up some light sheet steel to use in the interim while I try to track the proper part down.

Fri Jul 18, 2025 8:31 am

They’re not even close… in the time it took to make this thread you could have ordered a restored sled tin set from BustedBus :)

Robbie

Fri Jul 18, 2025 9:11 am

airschooled wrote: They’re not even close… in the time it took to make this thread you could have ordered a restored sled tin set from BustedBus :)

Robbie

Tried him already, he doesn't have any right now.

Fri Jul 18, 2025 11:43 am

agreendaya wrote: airschooled wrote: They’re not even close… in the time it took to make this thread you could have ordered a restored sled tin set from BustedBus :)

Robbie

Tried him already, he doesn't have any right now.

Ah bummer. Did you try Interstate Used Parts? Mansfred in Colorado seems to have a good amount of OG parts for sale too; maybe PM him and see if he has any leads.

The consensus on Shop Talk Forum over a decade ago is that they don’t do anything for oil or head temperatures, and mostly exist to protect the pushrod tubes.

Robbie

Fri Jul 18, 2025 8:32 pm

When I bought my first bus it was missing most of the engine tin, so I sourced tin from an early T4 bus, a 412, and a later bus. With a bit of hammering and hacksawing I made a complete set, and still have a mismatch of tin today, 400k+/- miles down the road.

Sat Jul 19, 2025 1:41 am

Wildthings wrote: When I bought my first bus it was missing most of the engine tin, so I sourced tin from an early T4 bus, a 412, and a later bus. With a bit of hammering and hacksawing I made a complete set, and still have a mismatch of tin today, 400k+/- miles down the road.

Since it wasn’t designed by Germans that’s going to blow up your engine suddenly one day. You’ll see.

Sat Jul 19, 2025 4:57 am

airschooled wrote: agreendaya wrote: airschooled wrote: They’re not even close… in the time it took to make this thread you could have ordered a restored sled tin set from BustedBus :)

Robbie

Tried him already, he doesn't have any right now.

Ah bummer. Did you try Interstate Used Parts? Mansfred in Colorado seems to have a good amount of OG parts for sale too; maybe PM him and see if he has any leads.

The consensus on Shop Talk Forum over a decade ago is that they don’t do anything for oil or head temperatures, and mostly exist to protect the pushrod tubes.

Robbie

Hadn't heard of those spots yet, thanks for the tip I'll see if they have any. I was really glad to hear it's not a big deal for cooling, so I figure worst comes to worst if I can throw something temporary to provide the protection for the pushrods it'll survive.
Thanks again!

Sat Jul 19, 2025 1:48 pm

so far I have heard what does not fit, but not what does fit, or what year ENGINE we are looking for tin for. There is an ad for 72-74 sled tin but I cannot say if that is what is being looked for. It is hard to match black relief-less tin by photo. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2713338

Sat Jul 19, 2025 1:50 pm

Abscate wrote: Wildthings wrote: When I bought my first bus it was missing most of the engine tin, so I sourced tin from an early T4 bus, a 412, and a later bus. With a bit of hammering and hacksawing I made a complete set, and still have a mismatch of tin today, 400k+/- miles down the road.

Since it wasn’t designed by Germans that’s going to blow up your engine suddenly one day. You’ll see.

Sometimes I feel fortunate to have gotten my first Transporter at a point in time when most people considered them to be little more than fodder for car crushers.