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TCS_58 Casual Dubber

34 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#879499
Hey guys, I know this has probably been spoken about a fair bit but I really can't find what I need. So, can someone please please give me a detailed explanation and even better, pass on any links to diagrams, on how the heat exchanger system works on type 1 beetles, I have a 58. As I am doing an engine swap and want to see if I can rig up a heating/demisting system for the car using both models if I have to. If anyone has attempted to install aircon that would be great too. Really just looking for knowledge here guys as it's holding up the build planning quite a bit and your wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers 🙂

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·

#879554
A later heating system will work in a early car, as for the aircon you might be able to adapt one to your car, you do not mention what engine you want to fit, search the samba for information.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/

Uber Kafer Wolfsburg Wizard

414 posts · joined Nov 2009 ·

#879558
what engine are you putting back in the 1958 beetle?

A 1950's engine, or a later engine?

Thats a starting point, as the early heat exchangers are different to the later ones.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#879561
early heater - the hot air from the engine was redirected into the car with square metal flaps behind the pushrod tubes

about ?? 1962 they changed to the fresh air heating where the air doesn't go over the engine but they have heater boxes where the air goes thru and gets hot...
the heater boxes are part of the exhaust...

air conditioning is difficult and expensive in a beetle..
most kits are for LHD only...

cheers

LEE

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

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#879564
What do you call an engine swap?
to a later VW engine or something watercooled?

I've got A/C in mine but It's a Subaru engine and in a late Superbug so doesn't really apply to your car.

But there is more and more being fitted with A/C all the time.
The Retro air units sit snugly under the dash of flat screen beetles.
Just gotta find somewhere good for the condenser then as well as mount the compressor and run the hoses.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#879579
PIC OF TWO DIFFERENT AIR CON.. MODS..


LEE

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

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#879585
What about the new 4WD rear mount ELECTRIC units.......sounds like a system that might adapt to a VW well.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#879654
Till summer hits 40c.... then let me hear you say that again 😂

It's not that hard, bout half of the bugs sold in the 70s in the US had A/C

TCS_58 Casual Dubber

34 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#880171
Thanks for all the info guys. The air-con isn't a necessity, more a "what-if" option for me at the moment anyway, as I'm really only concerned with the heater/demister system at the moment for the rego guys. The engine that's going in the 58 will be a 13B out of a S5 if I ever find one.....So I'm starting to look at the VW system and the RX7 system to see how I can go about merging the two. @ 68autobug, thanks for putting up that pic of the compressor on the left hand side, that mount might work out quite well for what I have in mind. Back to the heater tubes, I'm thinking of fabbing up my own designed heater tube that will accomodate both heater channels off the custom exhaust for the car. Probably further down the system rather than near the headers as rotary exhaust temps are alot hotter than piston engines.

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·

#880275
Why don't you do the obvious, fit a heater out of a water cooled car.

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 ·

#880281
vwo60 wrote:Why don't you do the obvious, fit a heater out of a water cooled car.
😂
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.

Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂