Push Rod Tube Seal Set, Rubber, 16 Pieces

OVERVIEW

Precision is everything when it comes to maintaining the oil-tight integrity of your air-cooled engine, and the EMPI Push Rod Tube Seal Set is the industry standard for stopping leaks before they start. These rubber seals are the primary defense against the common "VW drip" that often plagues the Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 engines. Over time, the extreme heat cycles of an air-cooled engine cause original seals to harden, crack, and lose their elasticity, leading to messy oil leaks that can coat your heat exchangers and create unpleasant smoke. This 16-piece kit provides a complete refresh for your engine, ensuring that both the engine case side and the cylinder head side of your pushrod tubes are hermetically sealed against the high-pressure environment of your valvetrain.

Whether you are performing a complete top-end rebuild or just pulling your heads to address a burnt valve, replacing your pushrod tube seals is an absolute requirement, never an option. These EMPI seals are manufactured from a high-grade rubber compound designed to withstand the volatile chemical environment of motor oil while remaining pliable enough to conform to the seating surfaces of the case and heads. By installing a fresh set of 113-109-345A seals, you are protecting your investment and ensuring that your Volkswagen stays clean and efficient. This kit includes exactly what you need for one complete engine, making it a staple for any garage or professional VW shop looking for reliable, stock-style replacement components that meet or exceed original equipment specifications.

FITMENT

This 16-piece rubber seal set is designed for the following air-cooled Volkswagen models equipped with stock-style pushrod tubes:

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1954 through 1979 (1200cc, 1300cc, 1500cc, and 1600cc engines)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Type 2: 1954 through 1971 (Up to 1600cc Dual Port)
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1962 through 1973
• Volkswagen Thing / Type 181: 1973 through 1974
• Custom Applications: Any dune buggy, woods buggy, or trike utilizing a Type 1 based air-cooled upright engine.

SPECS

• Part Number: 113-109-345A
• Quantity: 16 Pieces (Complete set for 8 pushrod tubes)
• Material: High-Temp Resilient Rubber
• Color: Black
• Application: Seals pushrod tubes to the engine case and cylinder heads
• Engine Type: Compatible with all Type 1 based 40hp, 1300, 1500, and 1600cc engines
• Compatibility: Works with stock steel tubes and most aftermarket fixed-length tubes

PRO TIPS

1. Immaculate Surface Preparation is Mandatory

Before you even think about sliding these new seals onto your tubes, you must ensure that the receiving bores in both the engine case and the cylinder heads are perfectly clean. Use a lint-free rag and a bit of brake cleaner to remove all traces of old rubber, carbon buildup, and burnt oil. Even a tiny speck of grit can prevent the rubber from seating properly, which will result in a "mystery leak" once the engine reaches operating temperature. If the bores have any burrs or sharp edges, lightly smooth them out with fine-grit emery cloth to prevent tearing the new rubber during the head installation process.

2. Use the "Light Lube" Technique

One of the biggest mistakes builders make is installing these seals completely dry. While you don''t want them sliding around loosely, a very light film of clean engine oil or a dedicated assembly lube on the outer diameter of the seal will help it "find its home" as you torque down the cylinder heads. This lubrication prevents the seal from "rolling" or "bunching up" inside the bore. If the seal rolls, it will pinch and eventually split, causing an immediate leak. A tiny bit of lube ensures a smooth, concentric seat that will last for years of service.

3. Inspect Your Tubes for "The Stretch"

While you have the tubes out to replace the seals, always inspect the "accordion" bellows on the pushrod tubes themselves. Over time, these tubes can lose their tension. Before reinstallation, it is a common professional practice to slightly stretch the tubes (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch) to ensure they exert outward pressure against the seals and the case/head bores. This mechanical tension, combined with the fresh rubber of the EMPI seals, creates the double-layered protection needed to keep your VW engine floor-dry and oil-leak free.