New Old Stock VW Valve Covers — Unused Factory Stock from Mexico, Cork Gaskets Included | VW Beetle, Ghia, Bus, Type 3 & Thing 1954–1979 (#E20)
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| Part number / SKU | #E20 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen — new old stock from the factory in Puebla, Mexico |
| Fits | VW upright air-cooled engines: Beetle 1954–1979, Super Beetle 1971–1979, Karmann Ghia 1956–1974, Bus 1954–1971 (1200–1600cc), Type 3 1962–1973, Thing 1973–1974. Single and dual relief. |
| Material & finish | Stamped steel, semi-gloss black |
| Dimensions / weight | 10 x 5 x 3 in boxed, 2 lb |
| What's included | One pair of covers, left and right, plus two cork gaskets. Add German or aftermarket bales with the Bales option above. |
| Made by | Volkswagen. Sold by Washburn's Metal, Orange, California. |
New old stock, never on an engine
Short answer: These are unused new old stock Volkswagen valve covers from Mexico, sold as a pair with two cork gaskets, for upright air-cooled VW engines: Beetle 1954–1979, Ghia 1956–1974, Bus 1954–1971, Type 3 1962–1973 and Thing 1973–1974. They do not fit Type 4 engines.
When a valve cover keeps weeping after a fresh gasket, the cover is usually what's wrong. Reproduction covers run thinner steel and a softer flange, and after a few heat cycles they stop holding even pressure. These are genuine Volkswagen covers, built at the factory in Puebla, Mexico, boxed and shelved and never fitted to an engine — correct gauge, correct baffling, and a flange that has never been clamped down on a head. Part #E20, sold as a pair with two cork gaskets.
What you're getting
- Unused factory stock. Volkswagen production, never installed.
- Correct gauge and baffling. The part the engine was designed around, not a reproduction.
- Gaskets included. Two cork gaskets, one for each cover.
- Semi-gloss black. Clean in the bay, and it takes the heat.
- Sold as a pair. Left and right.
Add bales
The gaskets are already in the box. If your old bales have lost their spring, or you're missing one, add a pair with the Bales option and they ship with the covers. The bales fit 1961 and later (40hp and up) engines; 36hp engines use a different bale.
| Bales option | What it is | Adds |
|---|---|---|
| German Bales, Black (#E24) | Pair of German spring-steel bales with full clamping tension. They match the black covers | $25 |
| Aftermarket Bales, Yellow Zinc (#E26) | Pair of zinc-plated aftermarket bales. A budget choice if yours are missing or bent | $12 |
Fitment
Confirmed fit — single and dual relief upright air-cooled engines:
- VW Beetle, 1954–1979
- VW Super Beetle, 1971–1979
- VW Karmann Ghia, 1956–1974
- VW Bus (Type 2), 1954–1971, 1200cc / 1500cc / 1600cc
- VW Type 3, 1962–1973
- VW Thing, 1973–1974
Will not fit: Type 4 engines — 1972 and later Bus, 411, 412 and the Porsche 914.
Which valve cover do you need?
| Listing | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| #E20 — New old stock VW covers (this one) | Unused Volkswagen factory covers from Mexico, never fitted, with two cork gaskets in the box | A rebuild or a restoration where you want an unused factory part |
| #E25 — German aftermarket covers | New German-made replacement covers — made now, not old factory stock and not restored | A car that needs covers that seal and look right without paying for new old stock or restored |
| Restored German covers (#E23) | 1960s–70s German covers, sorted for straight flanges, media blasted, powder coated | A driver you want looking right without paying new-old-stock money |
| #E21 — Restored German with -8 AN bungs | Same restored German covers, with TIG-welded -8 AN breather bungs | A 1776cc or larger build running a catch can |
Specifications
| Condition | New old stock — unused, never fitted to an engine |
|---|---|
| Material | Stamped steel |
| Finish | Semi-gloss black |
| Sold as | Pair, includes two cork gaskets |
| Boxed size | 10 x 5 x 3 in |
| Shipping weight | 2 lb; about 2.3 lb with bales |
| Part number | #E20 |
| Bales | Optional: #E24 German black, +$25, or #E26 aftermarket yellow zinc, +$12. Or reuse your stock bales if they still have spring. |
Questions we get
What does new old stock mean? Factory parts that were made years ago, boxed, and never used. These have never been on an engine.
Where were they made? At Volkswagen's plant in Puebla, Mexico.
Does this fit a 1967 VW Beetle? Yes. These fit upright air-cooled engines from 1954 through 1979, single or dual relief.
What's the part number? #E20, sold as a pair.
Are gaskets included? Yes, two cork gaskets. Our #E22 German cork gaskets fit these covers if you want a spare set on the shelf.
Are bales included? Not by default. Pick German black bales or aftermarket yellow zinc bales in the Bales option and they ship with the covers. The German bales hold more clamping tension; the zinc bales are the budget choice.
How are these different from your restored covers? The restored covers are 1960s and 70s German stampings that we inspect, media blast and powder coat here in Orange, California. These have never been on an engine and come as they left the factory.
Will they fit a Type 4 engine? No. Type 4 covers are a different design.
How do they ship? Boxed as a pair, 2 lb, standard ground service in the US.
Related parts
- #E24 German valve cover bales, black
- #E26 Aftermarket valve cover bales, yellow zinc
- Engine Tin & Components
- Engine
- All Air-Cooled VW
Prop 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
