Oil Screen, Fits 1200cc Engines 61-67

OVERVIEW

When it comes to maintaining the longevity of your vintage air-cooled Volkswagen, nothing is more critical than the purity of your lubrication system. Unlike modern water-cooled vehicles that utilize a high-pressure spin-on canister filter, the classic 1200cc 40hp engine relies almost exclusively on this mesh oil screen to catch harmful debris, metal shavings, and carbon sludge before they can reach the oil pump. At Appletree Auto, we know that a clogged or compromised screen is a recipe for premature bearing wear and catastrophic engine failure. This EMPI oil screen is engineered to meet original equipment specifications, providing a precise fit for the unique oil pickup tubes found in the 1961 through 1967 era 1200cc powerplants. If you are performing a routine oil change and find your old screen is torn, crushed, or filled with stubborn deposits that won''t wash away, replacing it with this high-quality unit is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your engine''s bottom end.

The 40hp 1200cc engine represents a specific era of VW engineering, and using the wrong filtration components can lead to oil starvation or unfiltered oil bypassing the screen entirely. This screen is designed to sit perfectly between the engine case and the bottom sump plate, creating a vital barrier in the oiling circuit. Because these early engines lack a full-flow filtration system, the surface area and mesh density of this screen are calculated to provide maximum flow while still trapping particles that could score your cam lobes or crank journals. Whether you are restoring a concours-level 1963 Beetle or keeping a daily-driver ''65 Ghia on the road, installing a fresh, clean oil screen is a non-negotiable step in your maintenance routine. Trust the specialists at Appletree Auto to provide the exact part you need to keep your air-cooled legend running cool and clean for thousands of miles to come.

FITMENT

This oil screen is specifically designed for the 1200cc (40hp) engines found in the following models. Please verify your engine case and oil pickup tube style before ordering, as many engines have been swapped over the decades.

• Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1): 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 (Specific to 40hp 1200cc cases).
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965.
• Volkswagen Bus (Type 2): 1961, 1962, 1963 (1200cc models only).
• Note: While the 1200cc was produced in various forms, this screen is intended for the 1961-1967 year range. It will NOT fit later 1600cc engines or early 36hp (pre-1960) engines.

SPECS

• Product Brand: EMPI.
• OE Part Number Reference: 113-115-175 / 113115175.
• Material: High-grade corrosion-resistant steel mesh with a reinforced metal frame.
• Engine Compatibility: 1200cc 40hp Air-Cooled Flat-Four.
• Inner Diameter (Center Hole): Optimized for the early-style small oil pickup tube.
• Outer Diameter: Precision stamped to fit standard 1200cc oil sump openings.
• Filtration Type: Primary internal mesh strainer.
• Installation Location: Bottom of the engine case, above the oil drain plate.

PRO TIPS

1. The Gasket Sandwich Method

Never install this oil screen without a fresh set of gaskets. To ensure a leak-free seal, you must use two gaskets: one between the engine case and the screen, and a second one between the screen and the bottom sump plate. We highly recommend a very thin smear of high-quality non-hardening sealant on the gaskets to prevent the common "VW drip." However, be extremely careful not to use excessive silicone, as any squeeze-out can break off internally and clog the very screen you just installed, leading to immediate oil pressure issues.

2. Inspecting for Engine Health

Every time you remove this screen during an oil change, treat it like a diagnostic report for your engine. Spread the mesh slightly and look for "glitter" or metal flakes. Small amounts of carbon are normal, but silver or copper-colored flakes indicate that your bearings or thrust surfaces are beginning to fail. If you find significant metal debris, it is time to stop driving and investigate the internal health of the engine before a minor repair turns into a total engine rebuild. Cleaning the screen in a solvent tank is possible, but given the low cost of a replacement, we always recommend a new one to ensure no microscopic grit remains trapped in the mesh.

3. Torque and Pickup Tube Alignment

When reinstalling the sump plate over the new screen, ensure the oil pickup tube is centered perfectly in the screen''s middle hole. If the screen is cocked to one side, the pickup tube may crush the mesh, or worse, the tube won''t seal against the screen, allowing unfiltered oil to enter the pump. Furthermore, never over-torque the six 10mm nuts on the sump plate. The studs in the magnesium engine case are very soft and strip easily. Use a torque wrench and tighten them in a cross-pattern to approximately 5 to 7 foot-pounds (7-10 Nm) to ensure even pressure across the screen and gaskets.