Re: [T3] Is this a myth? Backwards side vents?

[BOB2TYPE3S@aol.com]

Constantino Tobio <ctobio@gmail.com wrote>:

>Are the rear fenders on a notchback dimensionally the same as
>fasty/square fenders, and are only different with regards to the
>presence/absence of louvers? Not being as familiar with the rear layout
>of the Notchback, why is the Notch's cooling system different in this
>respect?

Notch rear fenders are very similar to Fastback and Square fenders, but with 
some changes. No vent openings are one, and an inside lip (about 4 inches 
wide) from the trunk lid down to the rear apron is another. I don't know if the 
air flow along the rear fenders is the same as a Square, but you have to realize 
that VW designed both the Notch and Square around the same time frame, and 
figured that since the rear fenders of a Notch needed the metal around the 
trunk, along with mountings for the trunk lid, that they would just use the dead 
air space below the rear window for the cooling air intake. The cooling air 
passages are located inside the trunk itself (this would eat up space in the 
Square), and then ducted to the rear apron area like a Square or Fastback. From 
there they are alike thru all the models. The t-34 Ghia pulls it's air in from 
the rear of the trunk lid, but the opening is set up differently (more like a 
t-4 Fastback).
A little FYI for you, the openings for the cooling air on a Notch never 
changed in size or shape thru the years, although the engine size did get bumped 
from a 1500 to a 1600. Even the later body style change (70 to 73) kept the same 
size opening, so the engineers must have planned for an increase in engine 
size back in 1960 when they designed the car originally.
 I do plan to try the taped yarn theory on my Roadster 2 project, since the 
car doesn't have a roof, and does have the vents in the rear fenders (it was a 
Square), since this thread has peaked my curiousity. I have used the car for 2 
years now, but it's been mostly for short hops (10 miles or less), and some 
really slow stop and go driving (a 4 mile long cruise that I got into third 
gear a couple of times), but I've never really driven it on a long run.

Bob 65 Notch S w/ Sunroof and IRS
       71 Square, now a 2 seat Roadster, pics can be seen at; 
http://volksrods.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2977 and now awaiting a 2.0L  t-4 engine 
transplant, finally have the needed parts : )
       

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