68 Heater Channel

viiking Officially Full-On Dubber

253 posts · joined May 2012 · 14 Jun 2013, 10:13 am

#959708

I need to replace my 68 heater channels and want to maintain its originality.

My understanding is that none of the available heater channels are a direct replacement including the Gerson/Green heater channels.

Can someone confirm what the differences are in shape between the 68 channel and the "earlier channels". Are there any cross sectional drawings anwhere?

Should I:

1. Remove the old ones and try as best I can to patch them up with new material?

2. By a new one, say 70's one with the heater outlet near the seat and try to modify them? The inner radius sections are in good shape. Only the bottom and the running board parts are in bad shape. The tube is rusted only in the back 100mm at the wheelwell

3. Give up and use a Gerson regardless of the shape/design differences?

viiking

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 14 Jun 2013, 2:11 pm

#959725

Hi

I'm no welding expert etc but I would try to fix what You have.
the main difference is the squared off heater outlet near the seat..

so there is a difference there...
I would presume the rest of a replacement would be identical
apart from that squared off top where the plastic outlet fits..

You would need to unsquare the outlet part of the later model if fitted...

or replace both sides and fit the plastic late model outlets..
[lots of used ones of those about]

cheers

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---