What's this under engine lid?

hi,I have a 69 beetle and I'm not sure what this thing is under the engine lid , it seems to have a pipe on both sides .Question 1- whats it for? 2- Do i need it? 3-How come i've never seen it before on other models?I'm guessing its for draining water away it seems a little rusty.Check photo for yellow arrows.cheers TC

TOPCAT69 wrote:?I'm guessing its for draining water away TC

Bingo!

Its just the rain drip tray.
They were only ever fitted to 1970 bugs with 1500 single ports that's why you don't see many of them.

They were causing over heating on the 71 onwards bigger 1600 doghouse engines so were dropped

Your bug has a 72-73 engine lid, someones just fitted the drain tray to keep the water off.
They often rust out when the drain tubes block up.

thanks Joel, I have a1600cc engine .Would it be okay to remove it? TC

TOPCAT69 wrote:hi,I have a 69 beetle and I'm not sure what this thing is under the engine lid , it seems to have a pipe on both sides .Question 1- whats it for? 2- Do i need it? 3-How come i've never seen it before on other models?I'm guessing its for draining water away it seems a little rusty.Check photo for yellow arrows.cheers TC

fairly rare these days...
they were fitted to engine lids with only two vents
yours has 4 vents...

you can take it out

Lee

TOPCAT69 wrote:thanks Joel, I have a1600cc engine .Would it be okay to remove it? TC

Yep, you may even find it runs cooler in summer.

Thanks all.Happy Days Terry😀