Re: Bellows

[Steven Ayres <comwest@well.com>]

JasonC=> can I get it in while the engine is in the car? like take off 
=> the tin? and how do I hook it up? ... and if I cant get a new one can I 
=> rig up some sort of lever for in the car?

The fan bellows is the really big tube between the back of the engine 
and the body. Your questions lead me to think you're talking about 
something different, probably the (bellows-style) thermostat for the 
warmup flaps, which keep cooling air off the cylinders until they're up 
to operating temp. 

The thermostat bolts to the right side of the crankcase below the head. 
It links *through* the head to a lever above the head that pulls the 
actuator for the flaps. There's a spring up there to ensure that if the 
thermostat gives up, the flaps will stay open.

As far as I know there's no source for new thermostats, but if anybody 
knows one, I'd love to hear about it. I suppose it could be technically 
possible to install the thermo and link it up with the engine in the 
car, but I wouldn't even consider trying it. You have to get all the 
tin off the right side to see what you're doing.  

I applaud your concern about getting this system right -- a lot of 
rebuilders just leave it off. it won't kill your engine to run without 
this system, but if you live in a cold climate it could shorten engine 
life.

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
'66 T3 Ghia (coming out soon!)