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Re: Extra Defrost Pipe on 64 Notch


Ryan & Tonya:  (and anyone that really cares)

OK, here's what the T3 Parts List book says ...
The short answer is this tube was fitted to all 1961-64 model Type IIIs
(including the T34s).  It was discontinued in the 1965 model year when the air
flow design was enhanced.  The early styles had the right side heat exchanger
supplying the center windshield defroster.  The 1965-later styles had both sill
heater channels supplying heat to the center defroster through a split tube
format.  This allowed twice the heat (from both sides) to defrost the center of
the windshield instead of just the right side.

The long answer is here (if you really care):
>From 1961 to mid-1963 (to chassis # 0 111 149), there were cylindrical bellows
under the rear seat on each side.  The left one had two openings coming out of
the heat exchangers: one to the left sill up to the footwell, and the other to
a split "v" opening just above the tunnel at the top of the rear kick panel in
the middle.  The right one also had two openings: one to the right sill
footwell and the other to the center tunnel going up to the center defrost
opening in the center of the windshield.  The connector pipes were made of
black corrugated paper material.
>From mid-1963 through 1963 (chassis #0 111 150 to 0 221 974) there was a
variation to the bellows but the operation of the heating was basically the
same (I think).  There were dual rear heater holes with finger flaps to open
and close the heat.
For all of 1964 models (chassis # 0 221 975 to 0 483 592) there was another
variation to the bellows: one pipe to the sill footwells and one out a round
hole under the passenger footwells on either side, except now (with the
redesigned dual heater controls on the tunnel for 1964-66) the rear heat holes
were cable operated by pulling on the heater controls on the tunnel, not finger
operated at the hole itself.
The pipe that I believe you are talking about is the plastic tube running from
the very front of the tunnel up to the center defrost windshield area.  The
Parts List says this tube was used for all years 1961-64 (up to chassis # 0 483
592).
This pipe disappeared for the 1965 model year when it was rerouted.  The heat
incoming from the sills via the footwells was stolen to provide heat to the
center defroster area.  The defroster vent was redesigned form a single input
(311 255 477A) to a dual input (from either side, 311 255 477B).

So, to make things simple, the center pipe you are seeing was fitted on all
Notchbacks from 1961-64 and was discontinued in 1965.  The heat supply was
changed from the center tunnel (one pipe, less force) to the sills (both sides
input for more force and "cleaner air").  Sorry for the long story, but it was
necessary to support the conclusion.
God, I LOVE this Parts List reprint!

LEE THOMAS HEDGES
VW T34 KG Registry  http://www.type34.org
Notchback Owners of North America  http://www.ixpres.com/hedges/nona.html
Vintage/Historical Editor, VW Trends magazine




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