Jim-

While I an as staunch believer in the philosophy, "If VW (among the biggest
cheapskates in the world) put something on their cars, they put it there
for an important reason", I have faced this felt washer dilemma before,
(and actually face it today, as I write this).

If you can't get the metal "keeper" for the washer, (in my opinion) you
*can* go without the washer. It does two things. It keeps grease from
slinging out of the pilot bearing onto the clutch face. It also keeps spent
friction material from the clutch out of the pilot bearing. However, the
type4 is the only motor I can recall seeing these on, so I don't lose much
sleep about leaving them out. Put a little less grease in the pilot
bearing, and don't sweat it.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

-----Original Message-----
From:   Jim Flanigan [SMTP:Vanagon40@AOL.COM]
Sent:   Thursday, July 15, 1999 12:03 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Felt seal on flywheel--'83

        I'm changing the clutch on my '83 Vanagon, 1.9 water-cooled.  When
installing the new pilot bearing, I thought I could get to it from the
transmission side of the flywheel--WRONG.  However, on the transmission
side
of the flywheel is a felt seal.  I took it out, destroying it in the
process.
 The felt seal was in a tin can.  I ordered a new seal from the dealer, and
just got the felt part, not the metal part the original seal was in.  The
dealer is having problems getting either the proper seal or the tin can
that
the felt should be in--it does not show up on the computer.  The additional
problem is that the dealer only get shipments once a week, so trial and
error
is a very slow process.  The metal part is about the size of a thimble, but
not as tall.  The seal mounts in the flywheel, and goes around the smooth
part of the transmission shaft.  Any ideas?