Alternator 3 Piece Backing Plate Kit, Black

OVERVIEW

When you are building or maintaining a high-performance air-cooled Volkswagen engine, cooling efficiency and structural integrity are your top priorities. The EMPI Alternator 3 Piece Backing Plate Kit in a sleek black finish is more than just a cosmetic upgrade; it is a critical component for ensuring your engine stays cool under pressure. This kit is designed to perfectly adapt a 12-volt alternator or generator to your existing fan and fan shroud, providing a secure mounting point that prevents vibration and ensures the fan is perfectly centered. The three-piece design includes the inner and outer plates along with the essential spacer collar, which together create a rigid sandwich that holds the fan in its optimal position. By using high-quality stamped steel with a durable black coating, this kit provides a professional, finished look to your engine bay while resisting the heat and grime common in the VW engine compartment.

Upgrading from an old 6-volt system to a modern 12-volt alternator is one of the best reliability modifications you can make to your classic Beetle, Ghia, or Bus, but it requires the right hardware to function correctly. This EMPI kit eliminates the guesswork and the "hack-job" approach often seen with mismatched cooling tin. The black finish is perfect for enthusiasts looking to move away from the flashy chrome look in favor of a "blacked-out" or factory-plus aesthetic. Because air-cooled engines rely entirely on the volume of air moved by the fan, any gap or misalignment in the backing plate can lead to air pressure loss, resulting in higher cylinder head temperatures. This precision-engineered kit ensures that every cubic foot of air moved by your fan is directed exactly where it needs to go: over your cylinders and heads. Whether you are building a daily driver or a weekend sand rail, this backing plate kit provides the structural foundation your charging and cooling systems demand.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle / Bug: 1954 through 1977 (Sedan and Convertible)
• Volkswagen Type 1 Super Beetle: 1971 through 1979
• Volkswagen Type 14 Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus / Transporter: 1954 through 1971 (Upright Engines Only)
• Volkswagen Type 181 Thing: 1973 through 1974
• Custom Applications: Fits Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, Trikes, and Kit Cars utilizing a VW Type 1 1200cc, 1300cc, 1500cc, or 1600cc based engine.

SPECS

• Part Number: 00-9059-P
• Manufacturer: EMPI
• Material: Heavy-Duty Stamped Steel
• Finish: Durable Semi-Gloss Black Powder-Coated Finish
• Component Count: 3 Pieces (Inner Plate, Outer Plate, and Spacer Collar)
• Compatibility: Designed for 12-Volt Alternators and Generators
• Mounting Diameter: Standard 105mm (Approx.) for 12V units
• Application: Connects the charging unit to the fan shroud and fan assembly

PRO TIPS

Tip 1: Check Fan-to-Shroud Clearance Before Final Torque

One of the most common mistakes when installing a new backing plate kit is failing to check the clearance between the fan and the fan shroud before tightening the mounting bolts. Even a slight misalignment can cause the fan to rub against the shroud, creating a high-pitched "tinkling" sound or, in worse cases, causing catastrophic damage to the fan blades. Once you have the alternator and backing plates loosely assembled, spin the fan by hand. If you hear any contact, adjust the seating of the backing plates and the depth of the alternator in the stand. Ensure the three-piece assembly is perfectly centered so that the fan spins freely with a consistent gap all the way around the shroud opening.

Tip 2: Use Blue Threadlocker on Mounting Screws

The air-cooled VW engine is known for its "characteristic" vibrations, which can easily vibrate small fasteners loose over time. The four screws that hold the backing plate to the alternator or generator are particularly susceptible to this. I highly recommend applying a small drop of blue (medium-strength) threadlocker to each screw before installation. This ensures that the plates stay tight and the cooling fan remains secure. Don''t use red threadlocker, as you may need to remove these plates in the future for maintenance, and you don''t want to risk snapping a screw off in your alternator housing.

Tip 3: Inspect Your Fan Hub and Woodruf Key

While you have the backing plates off, this is the perfect time to inspect your fan''s center hub and the woodruff key on the alternator shaft. If the hub of the fan is wallowed out or if the woodruff key shows signs of shearing, your cooling efficiency will drop as the fan slips on the shaft. Always ensure the spacer collar included in this EMPI kit is seated flush against the alternator face. If there is a gap, the fan will not be properly offset, which can lead to the rubbing issues mentioned in Tip 1. A properly stacked 3-piece kit is the only way to guarantee that the fan is positioned correctly for maximum airflow through the oil cooler and over the heads.