So the 1500 or 1600 ( s'pose I should find out what the hell it is one day) has all this 'extra' tinware stuff around it. I don't think i need the big tray looking thing around the bottom so I was just going to ditch it... however my neighbour ( who is about a 100 and apparently knows everything except how to stop his breath stinking) reckons I have to keep this to stop overheating.
Pretty sure I can chuck all this stuff?

you really should keep the tinware in place as it directs the airflow for cooling

Hi,
If You take the metal plates that go around the push rod tubes and direct air out the back... off..
the main problem there would be stones putting holes in the push rod tubes....
This tinware isn't really needed if You don't have a thermostat... & most engines don't have thermostats...
so You can do without them... the air still goes over the cylinders down over the pushrod tubes [cooling them] and out the bottom....
most of the surrounding tinware is to make the engine bay fairly air tight to keep the hot air from the muffler getting sucked in by the fan....
In a buggy or Baja beetle this isn't a problem....
If You don't have the heaters connected, best to block up the two fresh air tubes on the fan housing with 50mm welch plugs....... most VW parts places sell them....

Lee

i still keep the tinware that goes around under thepush rod tubes but i dont keep the breast plate. or the peice that seperates the engine bay from the body seal at the back.

Okay, so the skirt can go but whatever is under the pushrod tubes should stay...A skidplate of some description under the sump is a dead certainty for this vehicle given my driving style.