[T3] Need "hanger plate/bar bracket" L and R side for 1968 swingaxle notchback

[Jim Adney]

First off, your subject line says "1968 swingaxle", so I wonder how that's 
possible, since a swingaxle car would not have this crossbar. You clearly 
have the rear mount crossbar, which was only used on IRS Type 3s, so this 
can't be a swing axle car and probably isn't a '68, since the only IRS '68s 
were the very first AT Type 3s, sold only in Europe. So I'm guessing that this 
is a '69, which is almost identical to a '68, except for being IRS.

Check your VIN. The 3rd digit of your VIN is the last digit of the model year.

Okay, that said, I've never seen one of these break either, but this one 
clearly did. There were 2 versions of the rear mount crossbar. The early one 
has a large (~1") hole, which I think I can see just to the right of the break. 
The later one eliminated that hole. The hole was there to allow access to a 
screw head that attached the tin to a tab on the heat exchanger. I believe 
both versions were equally strong, but you should try to find one with the 
hole if you need it for that screw access. (VW changed the tin to eliminate 
the need for the hole in later years.)

The rear mount crossbar is bolted to the case with two 10 mm bolts and one 
8 mm bolt. To replace the crossbar, you'll have to remove the fan and the fan 
housing, which can be done with the engine in the car, but it's not 
straightforward. In the meantime, I agree that it's reasonable to find a shop 
that can weld the bar back together temporarily. You should check to make 
sure that the hangers that support the ends of the crossbar are not putting 
excess stress on the crossbar. Their positions are adjustable.

On 9 Mar 2020 at 11:50, J L Stamey wrote:

> Got the car tuned up and ready to roll yesterday. On way back from gas
> station I heard a pop and a grinding or dragging sound. Pulled over and
> noticed right side of engine was WAY low. Looked up underneath and
> immediately noticed the hanger bar or bracket had snapped in 2! I figured
> while I am in there, may as well replace both sides!
> 
> Looked around on ISP and a few other sources, all I see is IRS brackets.
> 
> pic of the motor drooping on the right:
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2009130.jpg
> 
> pic of the bracket piece I need (attaches to underside of engine area with
> 2 large, maybe 17mm or 19mm, bolts)
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2009131.jpg
> 
> Anyone know how to get these and any tips or tricks to installing them?
> 
> Many thanks!

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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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