Do you have a thermostat?

Iv'e only been driving my 1600dp bug for a few days and it has no thermostat. I was driving it last night in the cold and it wouldn't quite get up to normal temps. You could tell a slight lack of power than it normally has due to the cold engine. Nothing major, just wondering how much a thermostat would help get it up to temp in cold weather?

It helps a lot. I have one on both of my cars.

I don't run one, but I wish I did.... but I didn't have a choice in the matter. Thanks to a PO.

I was building a motor years ago, ground up with lots of new stuff. I was using the idiots guide, and Muir stated "don't try to out think 50 years of German engineers".When I went to a shop to get things buttoned up on the car, they removed my brand new thermostat, connecting rod and flaps in the shroud.    Pissed me off when I finally realized what they had done. When I went back and asked about it, I was told "Nah, you didn't need that sh*t." Really.......you just decided on your own to remove brand new parts from my car?????? Any how,
If your going to run it- make sure it is operational- I would think it will help you warm up the engine more quickly, and your toes too (that's what the Germans thought). But unfortunetly I can't speak from experience.

Damn-it Don wrote: they removed my brand new thermostat, connecting rod and flaps in the shroud.

wow, you handled that better than I would have

Damn-it Don wrote: and Muir stated "don't try to out think 50 years of German engineers".

Muir also said 1st thing you should do is rip out your electronic choke.

ibjamn wrote:I don't run one, but I wish I did.... but I didn't have a choice in the matter. Thanks to a PO.

Same here. It sure would make it better. 

Greg wrote:
wow, you handled that better than I would have

I don't own a baseball bat.

zabo wrote:

Damn-it Don wrote: and Muir stated "don't try to out think 50 years of German engineers".

Muir also said 1st thing you should do is rip out your electronic choke.

He should have stuck with his own advice- I like my electric choke, and no 'free-thinking' mechanic decided I don't need it.

Sounds like I need to get one, I don't even know if my car still has the cooling vanes or not. I'll check once all this snow melts.

R33ce97 wrote:Sounds like I need to get one, I don't even know if my car still has the cooling vanes or not. I'll check once all this snow melts.

If you don't have them, you'll probably have to start searching ebay or the samba classifieds for a used set. As far as I know of, there isn't anywhere that makes the vanes to be sold in brand new sets. If there is such a place, I haven't heard about it.

EDIT: Or post a WTB topic in the Wanted Forum of this site.

Awesome Powdercoat.  One stop shopping for everything you need, though it's all been cleaned and powdercoated, so you'll pay a little more.

complete flap/linkage kits http://www.awesomepowdercoat.com/thermostat_flaps.html

Thermostats (original, usa made, mexican) http://www.awesomepowdercoat.com/thermostat_new_used_rebuilt.html

I have a few shrouds with its flaps in them no thermos.

Awesome fluxcap! Thanks. I still haven't checked yet lol, I have a feeling that they are gone  . 

yep. got a few of them I've found over the years. It makes the heater work better too, since the engine will actually warm up. not sure why that makes the exhaust any hotter tho.