swap fuel tanks... what fits in a 59 beetle?

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 23 May 2006, 11:20 am

#491639

I'm thinking about swapping the fuel tank in my 59 beetle for one with a fuel sender. What years will fit?

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

geodon Wolfsburg Wizard

478 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 23 May 2006, 11:56 am

#491653

What's wrong with a dipstick eg a length of 1 inch dowell with notches cut into it??!! LOL
Seriously, it costs nix & u dont have to drill holes in ur dash for a guage.

Is ur reserve tap still working??

I've been getting by in my '60 SC wo a guage for 5 years & I can't even use a dipstick on this one!

[ Edited on 23-5-2006 by geodon ]

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 23 May 2006, 2:20 pm

#491711

geodon, it doesn't have a reserve tap! I wouldn't need to cut a hole in the dash for a guage if I replace the dash inset with a later model one with inbuilt guage. A dowell with notches cut in it sounds way more sophisticated than the twig I've been using 🙄

Thanks TYP-114, unfortunately they don't have senders :duh:

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 23 May 2006, 2:41 pm

#491719

Any Beetle tank will fit (except L or super bug). All link pin models e.g. up to 67 have the fuel filler under the bonnet, and later Balljoint models have the fuel filler external. The tank will physically fit, its just you would then need to customise the filler. Fuel guages were fitted from '62 onwards.

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 23 May 2006, 3:17 pm

#491744

Thanks very much! Sounds like I need a 62-67 👍

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 25 May 2006, 10:12 pm

#492739

that's it👍

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 26 May 2006, 11:24 am

#492874

Nah up to 60-61 (not sure) had a 'Oval' style tank with the big bump on top - the 62-on tanks were flatter and had a sender in them

You need an aftermarket sender in your old tank

Pay your debts, CxxT

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 29 May 2006, 11:02 am

#494115

My '59 does have the big bump on top... I don't care if I replace it with one that doesn't have the bump cos no-one will see it anyway. I only care if it fits and has a sender.

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 29 May 2006, 10:36 pm

#494416

the bodyshell around and under it is different, too

Pay your debts, CxxT

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 30 May 2006, 9:16 pm

#494792

Craig Torrens wrote:Any Beetle tank will fit (except L or super bug). All link pin models e.g. up to 67 have the fuel filler under the bonnet, and later Balljoint models have the fuel filler external. The tank will physically fit, its just you would then need to customise the filler. Fuel guages were fitted from '62 onwards.

Sorry, I was wrong in the above post. After having a play tonight on my toys I have realised that in fact the 54- 61 model tank (the one with the hump) is a different size to the other early tanks 62-67. Soooooooo you will need to fit a sender to your existing tank, or install the reserve tap.

Always learning, even after 22years of playing with vw's !!!

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 31 May 2006, 9:59 am

#494932

OK. Thanks very much for all the answers! :thumb

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper