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mcarlson_sb Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2020 Posts: 93 Location: CA
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Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:26 pm Post subject: 1980 CA air cooled tin question |
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I've been reading a lot about maintaining an early air cooled engine.
Specifically, about over heating and the importance of the engine tin to keep hot air from the exhaust mixing back in the bay.
I'm pretty sure my tin and seal are not supposed to look like this
I clearly need to replace the seal.
What I'm not sure about, am I missing a piece of the tin?
I've read the comment that you shouldn't be able to see the ground from the engine bay. And I can clearly see through in a few spots on the rear drivers side.
Is that normal?
Should it be totally sealed, or just "mostly kinda with most of it covered" sealed?
I'm sure along with the seals I've probably got other air flow problems to take care of. But, this one jumped out at me as soon as I knew to look.
Cheers,
Matthew |
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Wildthings Samba Member

Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 52290
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Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 4:16 am Post subject: Re: 1980 CA air cooled tin question |
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Find something flexible to seal the gap in the front. You don't want whatever you use coming out and getting sucked into the fan though.
Sealing around the AC compressor is a pain, which is why it is often not done. The smaller the gaps the better and keep in mind here as well that you don't want anything coming loose and getting into the fan. |
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mcarlson_sb Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2020 Posts: 93 Location: CA
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Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:58 am Post subject: Re: 1980 CA air cooled tin question |
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Wildthings wrote: |
Find something flexible to seal the gap in the front. You don't want whatever you use coming out and getting sucked into the fan though.
Sealing around the AC compressor is a pain, which is why it is often not done. The smaller the gaps the better and keep in mind here as well that you don't want anything coming loose and getting into the fan. |
that's an AC compressor???
I just assumed it didn't have AC
We noticed when we started fixing things up front that there were a number of ducts cut and not hooked up. Specifically around the radio install.
Because of a combination of that, fear about the condition of the heater box, and what looks like a bad assumption - we just always rolled down the windows and never used the (or learned how to use) the dash controls for climate.
I guess now is a good time to learn and see what works/doesn't |
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Wildthings Samba Member

Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 52290
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Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:35 am Post subject: Re: 1980 CA air cooled tin question |
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The rest of the AC may be long gone. If that is the case then removing the compressor will make sealing the engine compartment easier.
Note that the AC was a stand alone system and not connected into the rest of the heating and ventilation system.
Last edited by Wildthings on Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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MarkWard Samba Member

Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 18708 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:36 am Post subject: Re: 1980 CA air cooled tin question |
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The original dealer install directions had you modify the factory tin section and to account for a poor fit, had a foam gasket to fill the gap around the compressor to reseal it. The quality was left to the tech installing the a/c.
A better solution is if you want AC on an air cooled engine would be to convert to a rotary piston compressor like the Sanden 508 or 709. I've seen compressor brackets for adapting these to that engine.
Also, the AC belt was a pain in the butt to access. There was a crank pulley that got sandwiched between the intake blower and the crankshaft. The belt ran behind the fan shroud. Never easy to change. |
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mcarlson_sb Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2020 Posts: 93 Location: CA
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Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: 1980 CA air cooled tin question |
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Wildthings wrote: |
The rest of the AC may be long gone. If that is the case then removing the compressor will make sealing the engine compartment easier.
Note that the AC was a stand alone system and not connected into the rest of the heating and ventilation system. |
That's good to know.
Even if it's not long gone it may be soon. I've tried before (on an old mx-5) to get a freon system updated and it just wasn't worth it.
We've lived so far with open windows and can continue doing so.
The heater box on the other hand. That's on my fix it list.
And it would be nice to be able to trust the air fans for circulation. |
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