Aftermarket Valve Cover Bales, Yellow Zinc — Pair | VW Beetle, Bus, Ghia, Type 3 & Thing 1961–1979 (#E26)
Couldn't load pickup availability
| Part number / SKU | #E26 |
|---|---|
| Interchange | Replaces VW 043 101 487 (valve cover bale / bail clip) |
| Fits | VW upright air-cooled engines, 40hp and later: Beetle and Super Beetle 1961–1979, Karmann Ghia 1961–1974, Bus 1961–1971 (1200–1600cc), Type 3 1962–1973, Thing 1973–1974, and buggies or kit cars running a Type 1. Not 36hp, not Type 4. |
| Material & finish | Spring steel wire, yellow zinc plated, aftermarket |
| Dimensions / weight | 10 x 4 x 2 in boxed, 0.3 lb |
| What's included | One pair — two bales, one for each valve cover |
| Sold by | Washburn's Metal, Orange, California |
An inexpensive fix for a missing or bent bale
Lost a bale during a valve adjustment, or bent one prying it off? These aftermarket bales are formed to the stock shape and plated in yellow zinc to hold off rust. They go on and come off exactly like the originals. If you're chasing an oil leak or rebuilding an engine, step up to our German #E24 bales, which have more clamping tension. Part #E26, sold as a pair.
What you're getting
- Stock shape. Center dip over the cover ribs and hooked ends that catch the cylinder-head ledge.
- Yellow zinc plating. Rust resistant, with the gold tone of zinc-plated hardware.
- Budget friendly. A low-cost way to get a car back on the road.
- Sold as a pair. Two bales, one per cover.
Fitment
Fits 40hp and later upright air-cooled engines that use stamped-steel bale-clip valve covers:
- VW Beetle and Super Beetle, 1961–1979
- VW Karmann Ghia, 1961–1974
- VW Bus (Type 2), 1961–1971, 1200cc / 1500cc / 1600cc
- VW Type 3, 1962–1973
- VW Thing, 1973–1974
- Dune buggies, sand rails and kit cars running a Type 1 engine
Will not fit: 36hp engines, Type 4 engines (1972 and later Bus, 411, 412, Porsche 914), or bolt-on billet covers that use studs and nuts.
Which bales do you need?
| Listing | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| #E24 — German valve cover bales (black) | Spring-steel German bales with full factory clamping tension, black finish | Restorations, rebuilds, and any cover that has been weeping oil |
| #E26 — Aftermarket valve cover bales (zinc) (this one) | Yellow-zinc plated aftermarket bales, correct shape, lighter tension | Budget replacement for a missing or bent bale on a driver |
How to install
- Seat a new cork gasket in the valve cover. Our #E22 German cork gaskets fit.
- Hold the cover against the head and hook both bale ends under the ledge on the cylinder head.
- Push the center of the bale up and over into the dip on the cover with a large screwdriver until it snaps into place.
- Run the engine to temperature and check the flange for seepage.
Specifications
| Finish | Yellow zinc plated |
|---|---|
| Material | Spring steel |
| Sold as | Pair (2 bales) |
| Interchange | VW 043 101 487 |
| Part number | #E26 |
Questions we get
How many bales do I need? One per valve cover, so one pair per engine. This listing is a pair.
Do these fit a 1967 VW Beetle? Yes. They fit every 40hp and later upright engine from 1961 through 1979.
Will these fit a 36hp engine? No. The 36hp uses a different cover and bale.
What is the difference from your German bales? German bales hold more clamping tension and keep it through heat cycles, so the gasket stays sealed. The aftermarket zinc bales cost less and are fine for replacing a lost or bent bale on a driver.
Can I buy them with valve covers? Yes. Our #E20 and #E21 valve cover listings have bale and gasket options you can add.
How do they ship? Boxed as a pair, standard ground service in the US.