200mm Swing Axle Clutch Kit, For Beetle 59-67, Bus 63-70

OVERVIEW

When it comes to maintaining the legendary drivability of your vintage Volkswagen, nothing is more critical than the mechanical connection between your engine and the transaxle. This IAP 200mm Swing Axle Clutch Kit is specifically engineered to provide a smooth, chatter-free engagement that modern drivers demand while respecting the original engineering of the 1950s and 60s air-cooled systems. Unlike rigid or solid-center discs that can transmit harsh vibrations and shock loads directly into your transmission gears, this kit features a high-quality sprung-hub clutch disc. These internal dampening springs act as a kinetic shock absorber, soaking up the initial "bite" of the friction material and significantly reducing the drivetrain shudder often felt during stop-and-go traffic. Whether you are restoring a classic 1967 Beetle or keeping a heavy 1960s Bus on the road, the 200mm surface area provides the necessary friction coefficient to handle the increased torque of modern 1600cc and 1641cc dual-port engine builds without the risk of premature slipping.

At Appletree Automotive, we understand that pulling an air-cooled engine is a significant task, which is why we have bundled every essential component into this comprehensive A4000-SPRUNG package to ensure you don''t have to stop mid-project for a missing clip. This kit is a curated solution featuring a heavy-duty 200mm pressure plate with the necessary center ring for early-style unguided throw-out bearings. We include the early-style bearing itself, the critical retaining clips that often fatigue over time, and a precision-molded clutch alignment tool to ensure your input shaft slides home effortlessly during engine installation. Designed specifically for the "early" swing axle era, this kit is the gold standard for enthusiasts who want to maintain the mechanical integrity of their Type 1 or Type 2 drivetrain while benefiting from modern friction materials and tighter manufacturing tolerances that far exceed original factory requirements.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1): 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 (Swing Axle Models)
• Volkswagen Bus (Type 2): 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967
• Custom Dune Buggies & Sandrails: Any application utilizing a 200mm 12-Volt Flywheel and an early-style (unguided) swing axle transaxle.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Clutch Diameter: 200mm (Standard Upgrade for 180mm Flywheels)
• Disc Type: Sprung Hub Friction Disc (Dampened Engagement)
• Pressure Plate Style: Early Style (Includes Center Thrust Ring)
• Throw-out Bearing: Early Unguided Style (Mounts directly to the clutch fork)
• Spline Count: 24-Spline Hub (Standard VW Type 1/2/3)
• Material: High-Carbon Steel Pressure Plate with Organic Composite Friction Material
• Kit Contents: Pressure Plate, Sprung Disc, Throw-out Bearing, Retaining Clips, and Alignment Tool
• Shipping Weight: 12.05 lbs

PRO TIPS FROM THE SHOP

1. Always Resurface or Replace the Flywheel

Installing a brand-new clutch kit against a glazed, heat-spotted, or uneven flywheel is the fastest way to cause clutch chatter and premature wear. Even if the flywheel looks "okay" to the naked eye, the microscopic imperfections can prevent the new sprung disc from bedding in properly. We highly recommend taking your flywheel to a machine shop to be resurfaced or simply purchasing a new 200mm flywheel from our inventory. This ensures a perfectly flat mating surface, allowing the 200mm pressure plate to apply even pressure across the entire friction surface, which is vital for the smooth engagement this sprung