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Mon Dec 07, 2020 3:44 pm

I recently bought a 1972 Beetle Sedan and while doing a generator to alternator conversion, I went ahead and pulled the fan shroud off and I'm glad I did because it looks like I've got a oil leak at the bottom of the cooler.

So now the big question is, since I'm replacing it anyways, which style to go with. All I really care about here is cooling efficiency, so does anyone know if there is any real difference between the upright and the doghouse Oil Cooler/Shroud?

Secondarily, I like shiny things and I'm considering going to a chrome shroud but I've heard they are hotter. Anyone have any idea if I need to consider heat issues by going with a chrome shroud? Anyone with a chrome shroud notice heat issues?

Any help is appreciated! Doing a sizable restoration on this baby so I'll be frequenting the site.

Mon Dec 07, 2020 3:55 pm

Do the Dog House shroud, but get a factory. Many of the aftermarket 36hp style don't cool as well.

As far as chrome.. they tend to be poor quality and quickly rust.

Don't forget the captive nut for the top left engine bolt since the dog house block you from getting a wrench on it.

Mon Dec 07, 2020 4:21 pm

The 1972 was a dog house shroud!
My Dog House Shroud:

Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:40 pm

Here is a shot of my current shroud. I think I might refurb this like you did Danwvw, thanks for sharing your shots. Can anyone tell me if this is a stock shroud or if this is already after market?

Also, I'm really concerned now about the fact that my Beetle may not be a '72 since I have an upright oil cooler and as Danwvw said, a '72 should already be doghouse. Any tips for identification? The vin is not the original plate but the # on the pink slip indicates it's a 1972! So I'm really scratching my head now!

Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:43 pm

Your fan shroud is a factory part but it and your engine is a non-dog house.

What's the serial number on the engine?

Tue Dec 08, 2020 3:43 pm

Yes, it's an earlier engine check your VIN numbers. The engine case may have the a serial number for the year of the engine it is. Look up under Technical above then Vin/Chassis numbers Type 1 for the engine serial numbers, your engine is a 66-70 year from the looks. Could even be earlier. The engine case serial number is stamped under the generator stand on the case. For the year of the car I think, if you can find a name plate it will have a chassis number you can also find on the Vin/Chassis/Engine number reference above to see what year it is.
Dog / House fan shrouds are only needed on Dual Port engines however they are just pretty much like the earlier non doghouse UpRight fan shrouds, they have a 36mm wide fan and an offset aluminum oil cooler rather than a steel one and do cool the Type1 engine much better. So what does the engine serial number start with? F, H, B, A, D ???
Dog House Fan Shroud engines are also considered Upright Type 1 Engines.

Tue Dec 08, 2020 6:27 pm

It looks like the magic number is H5570416. Pictures below. I appreciate the help! Hard to believe the car might not match the vin. I cannot find the vin or name plate on the car anywhere. Only have the VIN on the pink slip which I didn't think was a problem until yesterday!

Tue Dec 08, 2020 6:54 pm

It's no big deal the name plate will probably be right look behind the spare tire.

Tue Dec 08, 2020 6:57 pm

RedSonja wrote: It looks like the magic number is H5570416.
It's a 1500 single port.

Tue Dec 08, 2020 7:28 pm

your rear taillight looks like a modified 1973

Tue Dec 08, 2020 10:06 pm

The rear bumper has the wide groove, and "bulged out" rear apron has the exhaust tip single cutout on the left of center. Both are indicative of Mexican-built Beetles. The bulged-out apron created space behind it for the catalytic converter.

The VIN would be found on the aluminum ID plate that is riveted onto the body somewhere in the trunk, either on the front-facing panel behind the spare tire, or on the passenger side vertical wall of the spare tire well.

Another location, which is usually the indicative one for authorities during a VIN check, is stamped into the tunnel spine top surface that you can access when you lift up the rear seat cushion. Here's a shot in the center column of the 1972's owner's manual.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:25 am

from the wiring in the engine bay (I see the FI bundle and the three-pin diagnostic socket on the left) it looks like a later Fuel Injected Mexican body. These came from the factory with a swing axle trans and a 1600 fuel injected engine with catalytic converter. Your car may be a pan/engine swap. If this is the case it should have the 1972 VIN under the back seat as posted by Rome, while the original mexican VIN of the body should instead be stamped in the trunk above the fuel tank.

see this pic for number location on a mexican body:

a VIN tag was also riveted on the B pillar on late mexican cars:

this was usually removed on re-pans.

however, these numbers will tell you very little about the car, as it appears to be a mix of parts.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:31 am

you also dont have the rubber weatherstrip on the body that the engine cover seals to...assume front hood the same with the rubber attached to the hood itself...there were various methods of "legally" bringing mexican bugs into the US and registering them....since you're from texas i suspect you have some version of one of those...some brought them in and actually went through the trouble of making them meet US federal standards....some actually put the bodies on earlier pans, some just swapped vin #s to earlier ones and claimed they were pan swaps or just snuck them in as used cars with earlier registrations...whatever you've got going on there is definitely on the shady side...

Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:54 am

Do you plan on removing the engine???it would be way easier to add the thermostat and flap assembly.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:12 am

and back to the doghouse...the H block's cooler used 6mm studs and small seals to hold it to the case....the doghouse adapter uses 8mm studs and large seals...so you have to drill the 2 holes in the case bigger and put in a stepped stud or long bolt on the third one...and you will need special adapter seals that are small on one side and big on the other...it would be much easier to drop the engine to get all the doghouse stuff installed...yes the doghouse is better or vw wouldnt have bothered going to it almost 50 years ago...

Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:14 am

That body is not a 72!!!

All sorts of skullduggery going on with the car. Single port engine in a late EFI car, titled like a 72 :popcorn:

Other than all that, I would get the factory style doghouse shroud and tin if you can find one locally. Even on a single port stock engine I feel it's a worthwhile upgrade.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:45 am

I'm not planning on removing the engine at this point, although it seems I probably should eventually. I just don't have the shop equipment necessary to pull it out without killing myself. For that reason, since I'd really need pull the engine to ensure a clean conversion to the doghouse style, I think I'm going to just replace the upright oil cooler to fix my oil leak and refurb my existing shroud. Parts wise that only costs around $100, so if I decided to convert when I get around to pulling the engine, no big loss.

I've checked the locations for the chassis #/vin and no dice. No plate under the hood and no original vin plate under the back seat. I'll take some more pictures to post this evening. It seems very possible it may be the Mexican made body as Garba detailed though I'd still love to know the year. The rear lights are clearly newer so I'm not sure that's key identifier.

Looks like the engine at least is either from a '68 or '69 based on comments and searches but is there any other way I can identify the engine size type besides the number? Here are a couple more shots before I pulled everything out, I'll post more tonight.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:51 am

I see I’m not the only one with a mysterious Volkswagen mine has what appears to be a 71 body but it’s a 73 super with the vin of a 73 standard I think it’s sitting on a 73 chassis though. None of the interior matches a 73 either it also has the flat windshield and the weird red and white lights on the back. I think the engine is a 1600 on mine though but not too sure. But you have a nice beetle too I like the color.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:02 am

RedSonja wrote:
I've checked the locations for the chassis #/vin and no dice. No plate under the hood and no original vin plate under the back seat. I'll take some more pictures to post this evening. It seems very possible it may be the Mexican made body as Garba detailed though I'd still love to know the year.

the VIN under the backseat is not a plate, it is stamped in the chassis metal near the shift coupler inspection cover.
similarly, the mexican VIN is stamped in the body metal above the fuel tank. If you find that it would be easy to identify at least the year of the body

THAT SAID... no VIN under the back seat usually means trouble. if you don't have that, basically, your car doesn't have any identification number on it.

Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:47 pm

All that is needed is a couple of jack stands and a floor jack to pull a beetle motor.
Takes about an hour the first time and 30 minutes every time after that. :)

Good video that covers motor in-out, clutch, clutch cable, etc.
http://www.bugmevideo.com/volume2.html

Later stock doghouse fan shroud has a thicker fan, good internal vanes, and flows even more air.