Help:What year is it?

[jadney@vwtype3.org (Melissa & Jim)]

>From: Mjloren@aol.com

>     For a while I have thought that my type 3 is a 68', but, I have had bad
>luck with alot of parts not fitting. Is it really a 68'? How can I tell? Any
>quick way to find out quickly? 

If your VW has a 9 or 10 digit chassis # then its 3rd digit is the last 
digit of its model year.

>     Also, I just purchased a German type, type 3 muffler. It came only with
>the muffler and no tail pipe. Then I spent another 20.00 and got the tail
>pipe. Only the tail pipe, not the dampner. I had no idea that they were
>sperate pieces. So I spend another 20.00 and get the dampner. Now, I go to
>install it and the dampner is to short to reach the mounting bolt under the
>apron. The end of the dampner also seerms not to fit in the muffler well. The
>muffler's hole is bigger than the dampner end. What else do I need? Missing a
>part? 

Sounds like you got a late (72-3) muffler, and an early (-71) tailpipe and 
tailpipe extension.  You can use early or late exhaust setups on any engine, 
but all the exhaust parts need to be of the same vintage.  THe late muffler 
requires a late damper/tailpipe (one piece, ~$40.)

>     Last thing. Where is the cap to drain the oil so I can change it?

Bottom center of the engine.  Late cars have a sump plate with no drain plug 
in it.

Sounds like you need to buy:

Volkswagen Official Service Manual, Type 3
Fastback and Squareback 1968-1973
published by Robert Bentley, Cambridge, Mass, 1974
ISBN 0-8376-0057-X / LPV 997 383 / VSQU
(excellent book, complete and well written)

Also about ~$40.

Jim
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       Melissa Kepner                                    Jim Adney
       jadney@vwtype3.org               jradney@njackn.com
                             Laura Kepner-Adney
                             Madison, Wisconsin
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