Oil Pump, with Filter, 32mm Gears, for 71-79 Dished Cams

OVERVIEW

In the world of air-cooled engines, oil is more than just a lubricant; it is the lifeblood of your cooling system. The EMPI Oil Pump with Filter is a critical upgrade for any serious enthusiast looking to prolong the life of their high-performance or daily-driver Volkswagen engine. By combining a high-volume oil pump with an integrated spin-on filter mount, this unit eliminates the need for complex external oil lines and remote filter brackets in many applications. Heat is the primary enemy of the flat-four boxer engine, and this pump tackles that head-on by utilizing massive 32mm gears. These oversized gears move a significantly higher volume of oil through your engine galleries compared to a stock unit, ensuring that critical components like your main bearings, rod bearings, and cam journals remain saturated and cool even under demanding driving conditions.

Crafted with a precision-die-cast aluminum body, this pump is designed specifically for the 1971 through 1979 "dished cam" style engines. The transition to a dished cam gear in the early 70s required a specific pump drive tang length, and this EMPI unit is engineered to seat perfectly into that configuration. Beyond the increased oil pressure and flow, the primary benefit here is the filtration. Traditional VW engines relied solely on a primitive mesh screen that only caught "rocks and bolts." By adding a modern spin-on filter directly to the pump face, you are stripping away microscopic contaminants that cause premature engine wear. This is a robust, "all-in-one" solution that cleans your oil while it cools your case, providing the peace of mind that every VW owner needs when hitting the open road or the dirt trail.

FITMENT

This oil pump is designed for Type 1 based engines equipped with a dished camshaft gear (standard on 1971-1979 models). Please note that it will not clear stock mufflers due to the filter location.

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1971 - 1977 (Sedan and Convertible)
• Volkswagen Super Beetle: 1971 - 1979
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1971 - 1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Type 2: 1971 (1600cc Dual Port engines)
• Volkswagen Thing: 1973 - 1974
• Custom Applications: Any Type 1, 2, or 3 engine cases using a 1971-later 3-bolt dished camshaft.

SPECS

• Gear Size: 32mm (Heavy Duty High-Volume)
• Camshaft Compatibility: 3-Bolt Dished Cam Gear Only
• Material: High-Strength Die-Cast Aluminum Body
• Filter Type: Uses standard spin-on oil filters (e.g., Fram PH8A or equivalent)
• Inlet/Outlet: Internal high-flow porting for maximum pressure
• Drive Tang: Long-style tang for dished cam engagement
• Finish: Natural Aluminum
• Includes: Pump body with integrated filter mount and required gaskets

PRO TIPS

1. Verify Your Exhaust Clearance Before Installation

One of the most common mistakes builders make with this specific pump is overlooking exhaust interference. Because the oil filter mounts directly to the face of the pump, it protrudes significantly further than a standard pump cover. This unit will NOT clear a stock Volkswagen pea-shooter muffler or any exhaust system that wraps closely around the front of the engine. It is designed to be used with aftermarket headers, such as a Merged Competition Header or a tuck-away style exhaust that leaves the area behind the lower right-hand side of the engine open. Always mock up your filter and pump before final engine assembly to ensure you won''t have a clearance headache later.

2. The "Dished vs. Flat" Cam Identification

It is absolutely vital that you confirm your camshaft type before ordering. This pump is built for the "Dished" cam, which was introduced in 1971. A dished cam gear is concave where the pump drive tang meets the cam. If you attempt to install this long-tang pump into an earlier "Flat" cam (1970 and older), the pump will not seat flush against the engine case, and tightening the nuts will crack the pump body or damage the camshaft. If you are building a fresh engine, check your 3-bolt cam gear profile. If it dips inward toward the center, you have a dished cam and this is the correct pump for your application.

3. Proper Priming is Non-Negotiable

Never start a new or rebuilt engine with a "dry" oil pump. Before you spin the engine over, we highly recommend packing the gears of your EMPI oil pump with a small amount of assembly lube or clean engine oil. This creates the initial suction needed to pull oil from the sump up into the pump. Additionally, after installation but before you put the spark plugs in, crank the engine over until you see the oil pressure light on the dash go out or you see a reading on your gauge. This ensures that the new oil filter is full and the entire system is pressurized before the engine fires and creates heat and load on the bearings. Don''t skip this stepit''s the difference between a long-lasting engine and a seized one.