1973 Thing Heater Pictures

[caseydenise]

I created this thread to show how my gas heater is hooked up. I had two people PM me about the hose locations and such. I hope these pictures are helpful, but I can't say for sure mine is right. This is how it was when I bought it.
I removed the heat sheild for the pictures, it is normally over the exhaust (gray pipe)

I do believe that my exit exaust is missing a part-

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Central Jersey Volkswagen Society - President

[crofty]

The first two pics have to do with the heater how?
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Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.

[thinghunter]

[crofty]

[locke999]

notwithstanding that my heater dont work and i dont know y.

the fuel for the heater comes from a yellow pipe under the tank with a

filter prob in the line. the ones in your first picture are for return fuel/vapour.

ok so how does the heater work?

come on automaticly?

how do u turn it off?

i seem to remember my OLD bug would come on when u turned the knob and when u truned the knob off it would idal for a while and then shut off.

thanks

[Woreign]

This is the exhaust pipe that you are missing:

You really need this, or the heater will suck in exhaust and not burn correctly.

[yellow73kubel]

[[email protected]]

if you dont hear a clicking noise after a minute or so, your fuel pump is stopped up, hit it with a hammer to get it to go
or it can be a dirty glow plug,
or the contacts in the heat regulator arent working, you can jump the two blue wires on it, its the brass box on top. but dont leave it that way.

if it shuts down after a while and wont come back on, there is a safety switch in back of the heater, flick it to reset
or it can be the fuse under the big black cover on top, or one under the dash.
If they blow, you need to check the pump, regulator or the glow plug,
hope this helps,

[Ian Epperson]

Here's a good writeup (if I do say so meself )
http://veewiki2.webfactional.com/HeaterBN4
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VW-181 shirts and stickers.
http://ian.epperson.com/vw

[sword181]

Does anyone know of a source for the rubber elbow that is connected to the flex hose that enters the body on the right as you look at the heater?
Mine is destroyed.

[oasis]

I chose this thread from the ones listed in the "sticky" to ask my current set of gas heater questions. I am considering to purchase a '73 Thing. It does not have the gas heater. I wasn't too concerned about that because I know there are some for sale here. However, my concerns have grown and I really want a gas heater for winter driving.

The only heater related item this Thing seems to have is the timer knob -- Knob A in the owner's manual. I'm not sure if it works. It might have Lever C for heat/defrost. I can't tell from the angle of the one photo, and the other photo has the added glovebox door closed. So ...

Is there a source for the ductwork? Is there a source for Knob B, the temperature regulator?

And you do-it-yourselfers are going to love this Is there anyone on the east coast who will do the install?
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[Semper_Dad]

I think I've seen just about every part for sale on Samba at one time or another. The timer switch is pricey. There are some alternatives to the switch. (check out Tallman's gallery)

I'd have no qualms about installing a bench tested working unit myself.
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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492

[Worknclassbug]

I believe I have some ductwork for a 73 Thing heater if anyone is looking for something specific. I know I have the cardboard looking ducts that go inside the dash and I have some of the combustion air intake duct work. PM me if interested. They have been sitting around in my garage for a while. I'm not on here much so give me a little time to respond. I also have some other assorted parts like the temp control cable. Also have a timer but the plastic cog inside is broken. I'll take stock of what I have and post it.

By the way, I love my heater. Even with the top down on a cool evening it will keep the front passengers from freezing.
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73 Thing
71 Karmann Ghia (2.2L Subaru Conversion)
72 Deluxe Transporter
Huntington WV
Member of The Wagenfolks

[oasis]

Unfortunately, the Thing was sold before I could even get airline tickets to see it. Washington state is a little too far away for a gas heater install. Thanks for the offer, though. I may run into this issue with the next candidate. Getting ductwork has been postponed until I know if I need such items.

Speaking of ductwork, while it is apparent no one sells it -- either as NOS or as an aftermarket goodie -- is there a diagram that shows the pieces necessary? It would help if the dimensions were listed also, but I may be extra greedy here.

One final question if anyone knows this -- Are all gas heaters that came on Type 181's the same? The reason I ask is I saw a later model in the UK (1978 build date, I think) and it seemed to be a mix of early 181's (smaller turn signals, Type 2 taillights) and later models (ear muffs, reduction gears). That one wasn't for sale but I wouldn't rule out fetching one from overseas and shipping it. I'd like to know of any quirks I might be getting into.
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Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI

[comite27]

Can anyone tell me where i can find the 6 pin connectors that are used on the heater wiring harness. Also, is there a tool that removes the the wire from the connector.

[Captain Spalding]