Late 70s alternator air boot question

[eche_bus]

I placed a request for availability/shipping cost/delivery time through Classic VW DE. That's all I could do as there appeared no way to actually register and then order the parts, just punch in the part numbers, put them into a shopping cart and send on the request. I'll let you know what happens.

FYI, I got a call back from another VW dealer who told me the same thing as the other 2: they didn't have an account with Classic VW. These were the three largest VW dealers here in the Minneapolis Metro area.

Also, for what it's worth, Classic VW DE showed that they had the NLA Oil Cooler to Tin Gasket p/n 021119329, so I'll report back on that too.

[SGKent]

ALL of the Classic parts I've gotten work fine. They are funny how they get back to you though. Sometimes really well and others never. When you get the quote, if you want it call really early in the morning while it is early afternoon in Germany. Give them a Visa / MC number over the phone and the shipment arrives about 3 days to a week later.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[eche_bus]

Thanks for the background info SGK. I'll hope this won't fall in the "others never" category, and your tip about calling real early (I'll look up the time difference) to order will get the parts here quick.

I am still just floored that these kind of rubber parts that were used on every Type 4 engine for a fairly popular range of model years are so difficult to come by. This should be the easy stuff.

Couldn't do it without ya.

[eche_bus]

Haven't heard back from Classic VW DE yet, but I have heard from the UK retailers that showed as having the 021 903 655 D.

VW Spares
"it’s a reproduction and the part number is 022 903 655 D for round outlet. The D shaped outlet is 022 903 655B for Type 4 1700-2000 CA engine up to 1972 and AP up to 1974 and CE." [NOTE: the reply incorrectly uses "022" in the part number prefix]

VW Heritage
"We have both the 021-903-655D and the 021-903-655 in stock. The -655D has a round end at both ends and the -655 has a D shaped end at the metal clamped end. These are both reproduction items from suppliers overseas, sadly we are unable to obtain the Genuine version any longer."

Huh?
I'm sitting here with my 021 903 655 D. It has a "D"-shaped outlet. Here's a photo:

Is the thing to the right of the part number not a "D"?

Can anyone here that has replaced this part on their late bay bus please add to the conversation?

[eche_bus]

UPDATE:
I have just received email from Classic VW DE:

For legal reasons, we are not able to make any proactive business with customers from the USA at time. Currently, we are trying to find a solution with Volkswagen Group of America regarding making our assortment available again for US customers through the importer or VW dealers. A termination is expected by summer.
Please excuse the inconveniences.

You can purchase our parts via:

Auburn Volkswagen
866-406-3172
http://www.auburnvw.com/ContactUsForm

GoWesty
888-469-3789
http://www.gowesty.com/contact_us.php

Benjamin Williams
267-773-7454
https://mk1autohaus.3dcartstores.com/crm.asp?action=contactus

Mid America Motorworks
217-540-4200
http://www.mamotorworks.com/vw/Corporate/ContactUs.aspx


Unbelievable.

[SGKent]

from 2004

[eche_bus]

It gets worse.

I started calling the contacts suggested by Classic VW DE.

I am told by a person at Mid America Motorworks who didn't seem to know much that the only way to buy a part from Classic VW is to place an order through them and wait for the next shipping carton to arrive, which would be months from now.

Skeptical, I call Auburn Volkswagen. This time I speak at length with a very well-informed person who not only tells me the same thing, but that the reason is something to do with USA regulations that happened in January that prevents VW Germany from shipping to the USA on a part-by-part basis. He explained that it wasn't totally impossible, but that shipping would cost hundreds of dollars to get a single part and the only way around the expense was for retailers to buy quantities to fill up shipping cartons and amortize the expense. Auburn collects orders from individuals and then have them shipped en masse from Germany, but it wouldn't be until December before getting the next round of parts.

So I asked why a person couldn't just order parts through another European country and bypass the whole thing. He said I could and recommended VW Heritage ( remember them?), but that from his experience it would get real expensive.

Of course, I'll contact VW Heritage but it's going to be interesting given their last email.

Anyone else think this is ridiculous?

[vwwestyman]

Totally ridiculous.

Thank you, US regulations, for protecting us from... something??


_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[SGKent]

[eche_bus]

It was explained that it had something to do with importing parts that may not meet current DOT standards (like headlights) or bumpers that wouldn't meet some kind of crash standards. Sounds like in order for the USA to inspect the imports, the stuff needs to go through regular shipping carton pathways, as opposed to something like FedEx or their kin. It was USA regulation, not German from what I was told.

SGK - as you've already contacted VWHeritage, I'll hold off to hear back from you. Thanks for doing this!

[SGKent]

[Tcash]

To get you by until you can source the correct part. IIRC one member installed the 70A elbow on the 55A cover. He said he cranked it down and it sealed fine.
Tcash

[Hoody]

Email sent.

[SGKent]

About $65 for one or $100 for two with postage from the UK

[eche_bus]

But ... the email I copied from VW Heritage said exactly what you're showing in the photo.

They sell a D-suffix part but it has a ROUND outlet end which is not correct for use with a 50A alternator. It is a reproduction part that carries the wrong part number.

The question was whether VW Heritage could order the (assumed) correct D-suffix part with the D-shaped outlet through VW Classic Parts.

Or, is it know as a fact that the photo showing the (wrong) D-suffix part that is provided by VW Classic Parts?

[SGKent]

[eche_bus]

I'll outline the facts:

1. All 3 boot types have a round inlet end that fits into a round hole in the fan shroud. When the c-clip/wire is in place, yes, it does distort the inlet to give it a slight D-shape.
2. The 021-B boots have a smaller inlet end than the -D boots.
3. The 021-B and 021-D boots have a prominent molded, D-shaped outlet end to fit the 50A alternator. I posted a photo of mine earlier.
4. The 022 boot has a round outlet end to fit the 70A alternator.

Outside of these facts is VW Heritage's part they are calling "021-xxx-xxx D" which is visibly NOT the part it claims to be (again, see my photo of an original part).

I don't contest that the 022 part with the round outlet may fit the 50A alternator. However, the original 021-D part does NOT have a round outlet and it does NOT have a D-shaped inlet.

I'll contact VW Heritage and report back with findings.

[SGKent]

I'll post photos when mine comes in. In the meantime if you are building a perfect 1000 point show bus and someone offers a genuine VW one for less than $100 I'd jump at it cause there can't be many left in the world.

I believe that the round side with a clamp on the late (/D) one VW Heritage sells will easily conform to the alternator tin shape below. In fact it will probably set into a D shape once it is on for a short while. The other side should fit the late shroud.

The /B one will never be large enough on the shroud side to fully fill the late opening.

_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[eche_bus]

This isn't about building a perfect show bus, and I agreed that using the round outlet boot might work fine. Yes, the /B part isn't a solution, as that's where this whole crazy thread started. Yesterday I'd located the -D suffix part through VW Classic Parts, so the goal was to see if it could be had via a European retailer, such as VW Heritage. I didn't equate VW Heritage's repro offerings to the part supposedly available through VW Classic Parts.

I've contacted VW Heritage to ask if their source for the -D suffix part is VW Classic Parts (just in case), and if not, is it possible to buy the VW Classic Parts part through VW Heritage.

If there's a suitable path to the right part, I'll take it. If not, I'll improvise.

[SGKent]