74 engine in a 73 Thing

[4118thing]

My 73 came with a 74 AH motor, complete with a 74 fan shroud. Obviously the heater hose to the heater box (for a real 74) have now where to go. What should I do? Is it worth trying to find a 73 fan shroud? What do others do? Is it ok to leave the snorkels, on the shroud open? Do I cap them off?

Planning on leaving the heater boxes attached, as it has no effect, that I can see.

This forum has been very helpful, for my newbie questions.

PS I’ve tried to find other threads, but either I’m using the wrong search words, or this topic does not exists.

[Arkansauced]

An original 73 shroud will set you back $300. I would suggest the plugs below.

http://www.jbugs.com/product/9151.html

You could also buy an aftermarket 36hp style doghouse shroud, but samba knowledge base will tell you that the OEM shroud cools better due to internal vanes (although I think the Scat shroud has these as well)

I recently saw a 73 Thing style shroud that is being remanufactured very similar to the original, anyone have a link to that?

[Glenn]

[Wildthings]

If you think you will ever drive your vehicle during cold weather then figure out how to hook up the exhaust heat. I had a '73 which I added the heater boxes to and all the rest of the heater related pieces. I dumped one heater box under the rear seat and routed the other up through the rear deck. This made for a very toast ride when combined with the gas heater.

I didn't have any controls up front for the heater, just a jury rigged system to open the flappers come late fall and close them again when warmer weather arrived in the spring. I intend to do the same to my present '73 someday.

[4118thing]

I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina, so I’m not planning on driving in the Winter. If I do, it’ll be just several layers of clothes, and some warm gloves. Heck, I’m not even thinking about a top for the summer.

[[email protected]]

FYI
racquetballs fit perfect in the heater hose holes on a fan shroud
_________________
Michael Basso
http://www.thingparts.com
New and Used VW Thing Parts Free advice
CALL 518 630 0173

[Wildthings]

[4118thing]

What about the holes on the tins leading to the heater boxes? And along those lines, does it make sense to eliminate tha heater boxes, and/or replace the j-tubes?

[4118thing]

Ok, I think it been determined that I have a 74 Beetle, or Super Beetle (if there is a difference), iengine in my 73 Thing. Since I have no use for the forced air heat, of a 74 engine, my question is this:

Do I cap off the the fan shroud snorkel and holes in the engine tin to the heater manifold, or do I leave it alone and run flexible heater hoses, to the exhaust heaters? Obviously, any airflow to the heater would just exhaust into open.

I have read that closing the snorkel can have an adverse effect on cooling.

Thanks for everyone’s help. The information I’m getting is quite informative.

[Wildthings]