411-412

[davidoft]

Are most parts interchangeable
Specifically
All the glass
Doors
Rear wings
Engine
Gearbox

[shawn71]

I think glass and doors are ok but wings definitly aren't due to the lights changing size and position, not obvious on the rear but it is enough. What some have done is graft the light section from different cars to make a good 411 or 412 as required.
Engines are basically the same just carbs or injection which then knocks on to the cc of the engine. Gear boxes changed clutch slave cylinder location from earlier models as well, not sure if any internal changes occurred.

[shawn71]

Ps...I don't see why headliners are not interchangeable but without measuring who knows what vw changed!

[davidoft]

Cool, I know about the rear wings and I can chop the light hole from the 412 to fit, thanks for the info

[Editor]

I looked up the various things in the Parts book, and there are some differences listed. For doors (2-door sedan and estate) they list a change for 73 models, which also changes for the quarterlight option M561, so looks like a difference - bodyline or something?

Glass - door windows same for all estates and 2-door sedans (unless one is the ultra rare quarter-light model!). Others same for 411 and 412 estates.

Headliners - changed somehow from 73 models (412) and so did the sunroof version. Looks like you've realised something as you've removed the headliner item since I saw it first. I doubt it would be worth using an old one - better to get one made up if they're not available.

Front and rear wings are different for 411 and 412 (as said).

[Lahti411]

Gear boxes changed clutch slave cylinder location from earlier models as well, not sure if any internal changes occurred.

There were many changes made to the mechanical parts over the years and there were three different final ratios if i remember correctly. The Variant models had shorter ratios than sedans and the earlier gear boxes had weaker synchros. VW made changes even for the last model year and that's why the -74 model year gear box should be the toughest.
VW made changes for the outer door panels for the model year -72. These cars have larger recess for the handle -also, the handle had a longer lever for better grip.

[Dave Summers]

Shawn
That explains the different part numbers then. I had a close look at my 411 (1972) and 412 (1973) Variants today and as far as I could see the doors are identical. I measured the door handle recesses (amongst other things).

[Dave Summers]

Sorry Lahti411 - I was replying to your post, not Shawn's.