To Pre Heat or Not to Pre Heat: That's The Question

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

Ok guys...looking for honest tried and true advice.

I'm building a sort of mish-mash car. Early car (56 body) with a later engine (1600DP).
Building the engine dead stock with a 34 PICT-3 carb. I'm going to gather all the factory tin for dead stock reliability. Running a dog house with a full accoutrement of hardware including the thermostat.

Question is when it comes to the pre heat stuff for the air cleaner. I've decided on running a stock VW oil bath but haven't decided on a year yet. I already have a 1967 only dual snout air cleaner in my parts stash, but haven't decided that this is the best way, seeing that the dual ports ran a different setup.

Also, since this car will see more summer action than cool weather driving, is the pre heat stuff going to cause an issue in the worst of summer.

Maybe I'm over thinking this, but I just want this little motor to be happy.

pic from the gallery
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1956 Oval
and a barn full of VW parts

1956 Oval build thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

1962 Single Cab Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7959298#7959298

1967 Beetle Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495269&highlight=larrys

[EVfun]

I would have some concern that any air filter newer than 1966 may not fit. I notice the deck lid shape changed some, with more of a bulge toward the top. I have been told that the 1974 paper element air filter assembly does clear on the early cars. I have also seen old Bugs where an early oil bath air filter was used (usually a 40 horse part) on a later engine. I don't know if that really breaths properly. You may have to do some of your own testing.

Carb icing is more of a humidity based issue than a temperature issue. You can ice up at rather warm temperatures if the relative humidity is close to 100%. You can have no carb icing issues even in freezing weather if it is a dry cold. That said, most beach buggies don't have any air filter heat and for summer use most seem to get away with it.
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[anthracitedub]

I run the paper element filter box on my 62, the left rear corner rubs the deck lid a little bit. Also, early body with a 1600, your cooling fan and carb will be fighting each other for air... mostly at high speed. I use the tennis ball trick when I drive it fast and far, just putting around town I don't bother.

[sjbartnik]

Pre-heat.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[Eric&Barb]

Find a 1966 air cleaner, and use the pre-heat.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Jody '71]

Along with the 1" warm air hose and the pre-heat pipe (that attaches to the #4 exhaust stud) that pokes through the lower left cylinder tin diverter. Use '65 or '66 rear tin breastplate that has the hole for the warm air hose on the left side.
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'66 Beetle
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

Thanks guys...
I'm looking for a 65-66 air cleaner now.
_________________
1956 Oval
and a barn full of VW parts

1956 Oval build thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

1962 Single Cab Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7959298#7959298

1967 Beetle Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495269&highlight=larrys

[Eric&Barb]

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

Well looky what I found

I guess I have too much stuff...I totally forgot that I had this. Went digging for breastplate tin off an old engine and found exactly what you guys are recommending.
I believe the engine (and air cleaner) are 1961 40hp, but that should be a stale air motor...correct? If so then the breastplate is from another year because if I'm right, the stale air stuff pre heated from in front of the engine?
I'm running fresh air boxes, so this breastplate is the one I want. Should there be a "stove pipe" or something below that?

I guess now I can tell my wife it really does pay to be an old pack rat.

_________________
1956 Oval
and a barn full of VW parts

1956 Oval build thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

1962 Single Cab Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7959298#7959298

1967 Beetle Restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495269&highlight=larrys

[Eric&Barb]

If that is a 40 HP engine, the tin will not be wide enough at the heat riser pipe of the intake manifold. Air cleaner will work, but if you want a bit more breathing a 1966 one will do better. Personally have used the 40 HP Bus air cleaner that is built similar. and it works fine for our 1641cc engine, but both of us are not the WOT kind of drivers.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

[fl59bug]

[Jody '71]

Search the gallery for "pre heat pipe." The stove pipes were used on later model DP 1600's and were on the right side. Those took the 2" hoses.
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'66 Beetle
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring

[Fifty-Eight Rag]

[61SNRF]

I think it's worth noting that Thermostatically Controlled air Cleaners (TAC for short) have been a federally mandated emission control device since at least the 70s.
They benefit the environment and the engine as well. Anything that warms up the engine faster reduces the time the choke is on which in turn reduces emissions.
Faster warm ups also reduces cylinder wall wear and decreases slugging as a side benefit.

Although not a required emission control devise, intake manifold pre-heating by exhaust manifold crossover has long been used by VW, as have many other car makers on their cars with carburetors, so it goes without saying to complete the install you want yours hooked up and working for the same reasons as above.
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-Bruce

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[Fifty-Eight Rag]