Cooling Fan, for Beetle 71-79 Bus 71, Type 181 73-74

OVERVIEW

When it comes to the longevity of your air-cooled engine, nothing is more critical than consistent and efficient airflow. This EMPI Late Style Cooling Fan is a premium OEM-quality replacement designed specifically for the higher-demand cooling requirements of 1971 and later upright Volkswagen engines. Measuring 37mm in width, this fan is significantly wider than the earlier versions, allowing it to move a much larger volume of air. This extra width is essential for "Doghouse" style fan shrouds, which utilize a separate duct to feed air to an external oil cooler. Without the correct 37mm fan, your oil cooler won''t receive the necessary static pressure to dissipate heat, leading to skyrocketed oil temperatures and potential engine failure. Whether you are restoring a daily driver or assembling a high-performance 1600cc to 2276cc build, this fan ensures your cylinder heads and oiling system stay within safe operating parameters.

Constructed from heavy-duty steel and manufactured to strict tolerances, this cooling fan is engineered to withstand the high RPMs of a performance VW engine without flexing or losing its pitch. Over decades of service, original VW fans can become fatigued, develop cracks around the center hub, or become unbalanced due to debris and corrosion. An unbalanced fan doesn''t just cool poorly; it creates harmonic vibrations that can destroy your generator or alternator bearings and even damage the crankshaft pulley over time. Upgrading to this fresh EMPI unit provides peace of mind, ensuring that your cooling system is operating at 100% efficiency. It is the backbone of the VW cooling system, pulling air through the shroud and forcing it over the cooling fins of your cylinders and heads, which is the only thing standing between a smooth-running machine and a costly overheat.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1971-1979 (All 1600cc Dual Port models)
• Volkswagen Super Beetle: 1971-1979
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1971-1974
• Volkswagen Bus (Type 2): 1971 ONLY (1600cc Upright Engine)
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973-1974
• Custom Applications: Any VW upright engine utilizing a 1971-later "Doghouse" style fan shroud.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: EMPI
• Part Number: 113-119-031B
• Material: High-Strength Pressed Steel
• Fan Width: 37mm (Late Style / Doghouse)
• Compatibility: Designed for Alternator or Generator applications
• Style: Centrifugal Squirrel Cage
• Finish: Corrosion-resistant coating
• Weight: Approximately 3.35 lbs

PRO TIPS

1. Verify Your Shroud Width Before Installation

It is absolutely vital to ensure you are using the correct fan for your specific fan shroud. While this 37mm fan is the standard for 1971 and later engines, many older Volkswagens have been modified over the years with "bits and pieces" from different eras. If you attempt to install this 37mm fan into an early (pre-1970) narrow fan shroud, it will rub against the back of the shroud or the heater ducts, causing catastrophic damage upon startup. Always measure the depth of your shroud and ensure you have the "Doghouse" bulge at the rear for the oil cooler. If your shroud is the early narrow style, you must use the 31mm fan instead. Never force a shroud to fit over a fan; the clearance should be uniform all the way around.

2. The Importance of Fan Hub Inspection and Torque

When installing this new fan onto your alternator or generator shaft, you must inspect the fan hub and the woodruff key for any signs of wear. We highly recommend using a new fan hub kit if your old one shows even the slightest bit of rounding at the keyway. When tightening the 36mm fan nut, it must be torqued to 43 ft-lbs. Under-torquing the nut allows the fan to "wobble" on the shaft, which will quickly oval out the center of your brand-new fan and ruin the generator shaft. Conversely, don''t over-torque it without a proper holding tool, as you risk bending the fan blades. Use a dedicated fan hub tool to hold the assembly steady while you click your torque wrench to the final setting.

3. Check for "True" and Balance

Even with a brand-new fan, a master mechanic always checks for "run-out." Once the fan is mounted on the generator or alternator but before the shroud is fully bolted down, spin the fan by hand. Look closely to see if the fan has any lateral wobble. If the fan appears to "wave" as it spins, it may not be seated perfectly on the hub, or there could be a burr on the shaft. Additionally, ensure that no wires or thermostat flaps are positioned where they could be sucked into the fan. A single stray wire can bend a blade, instantly throwing the fan out of balance and creating a vibration that will be felt throughout the entire chassis at high highway speeds.