Billet Oil Pump Cover, Fits All Aircooled VW Engines

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

When it comes to maintaining consistent oil pressure and ensuring the longevity of your air-cooled Volkswagen engine, the oil pump cover is a critical component that often goes overlooked. Stock stamped-steel covers are notorious for flexing under high pressure or warping over time due to heat cycles, which leads to internal oil bypass and a significant drop in oil pressure. This EMPI Billet Oil Pump Cover is engineered to eliminate those weaknesses. Precision CNC-machined from high-grade 6061-T6 billet aluminum, this cover provides a rigid, perfectly flat surface that ensures the oil pump gears remain sealed tightly against the housing. By preventing the gears from "walking" or losing their prime, you guarantee that your bearings receive a steady flow of lubricant, whether you are idling at a stoplight in your daily driver or screaming across the dunes in a high-performance sand rail.

Beyond the functional performance gains, this billet cover adds a professional, high-end look to your engine case. The 6061-T6 aluminum construction is not only stronger than factory steel but also offers superior heat dissipation properties, helping to pull a fraction more heat away from the oiling system. This cover is designed to work seamlessly with stock-style oil systems, making it an essential upgrade for anyone rebuilding a 1600cc dual-port or building a custom stroker engine. It comes complete with a high-quality gasket to ensure a leak-free seal right out of the box. If you are tired of dealing with "oil sweat" around your pump or fluctuating pressure readings on your VDO gauges, upgrading to this heavy-duty billet piece is the smartest insurance policy you can buy for your VW flat-four.

VEHICLE FITMENT

This billet oil pump cover is designed for universal fitment on all standard air-cooled Volkswagen Type 1 based engine cases. This includes, but is not limited to, the following models:

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1950 through 1979 (Standard and Super Beetle)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Type 2: 1950 through 1971 (1200cc, 1500cc, and 1600cc upright engines)
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1962 through 1973
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973 through 1974
• Custom Applications: Fits most Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, Trikes, and Kit Cars utilizing VW Type 1, 2, or 3 engine cases.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Every EMPI billet component is manufactured to strict tolerances to ensure a "bolt-on" experience without the need for additional machining. The specs for the 3103-11 cover include:

• Material: Aircraft-grade 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum
• Manufacturing Process: 100% CNC Machined for maximum precision
• Finish: Natural Machined Aluminum (Can be polished to a mirror shine)
• System Type: Stock Style (Non-Full Flow)
• Stud Compatibility: Fits standard 8mm oil pump studs
• Thickness: Heavy-duty plate thickness to prevent bowing under high-RPM oil pressure spikes
• Included Hardware: (1) Precision-cut paper mounting gasket
• Part Number: EMPI 3103-11

PRO TIPS FROM THE SHOP

Tip 1: Check Your Pump Face for Flatness

Before installing your new billet cover, it is vital to ensure the face of your oil pump housing is perfectly flat. Over years of service, the aluminum pump body can develop small ridges or "steps" where the gears have worn into the housing. We recommend using a precision straight-edge to check the surface. If the pump body is worn, the new billet cover won''t be able to seal the internal pressure effectively. If you see any daylight under the straight-edge, it is time to replace the oil pump itself along with the cover. A billet cover on a worn-out pump is like putting a band-aid on a broken leg; always start with a flat mating surface for maximum oil pressure.

Tip 2: The "Dry Gasket" Secret

Many builders are tempted to slather RTV silicone or heavy sealants on the oil pump gasket. Don''t do it. The tolerance between the gear face and the cover is measured in thousandths of an inch. If you use a thick sealant, it can actually increase the "end play" of the gears, leading to lower oil pressure at idle. We recommend installing the gasket dry or with a very light smear of high-quality anaerobic sealant or "Gasgacinch." This ensures the gasket doesn''t slip during installation and maintains the exact clearance the engineers intended. Also, remember to torque the nuts in a cross-pattern to 14 ft-lbs to ensure even pressure across the entire face of the cover.

Tip 3: Torque and Re-Torque After Heat Cycles

Billet aluminum and the magnesium or aluminum of your engine case expand and contract at different rates as the engine warms up and cools down. After you have run the engine for the first 50 to 100 miles, we highly recommend getting back under the car and re-checking the torque on the four oil pump nuts. It is very common to find them slightly loose after the first few heat cycles. Keeping these nuts tight prevents the gasket from blowing out under high pressure and keeps your engine bay clean. While you are at it, ensure you are using copper crush washers or wave washers under the nuts to prevent them from vibrating loose over time.