Thermostat+Pulley Options

[Not_A_Six]

Hi All-

I just installed a thermostat+bracket from AA in my '73 2.0 as the PO had removed the original hardware and was running with the flaps full-open. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

The design looks quite different than the OEM one. It looks to my novice eyes like a Beetle thermostat.

I have a few questions that I'd appreciate any help with:

Does anybody know the story behind the AA thermostat?

Is it a modified beetle stat like it looks?

If it fails, will it fail with flaps open or closed? (I think the OEM stat was designed to fail with flaps open -- please correct me if I'm wrong...)

Is the temperature operation close to OEM?

Anybody use one? How did it work for you?

Thanks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[porschetub]

Just been through all this,most of the VW forum guys point out the lack of fail safe,haven't read anything any where about them failing ,but parts can fail however and that should be taken into consideration,certainly better that not having any thermostat.
The conversion of a beetle T1 thermostat is easy but they do open earlier ,the one I tested had a 10C difference over the T4 one which is fully open @ 90C,again better than not having one,I didn't check the supply on theSamba but expect they would be easy enough to find and prices should be lower than a used T4 one.
Ratwell site mentioned that failure of the stock Wahler type is often caused by the cable being too tight causing the bellows to split...makes sense,they mentioned keeping the cable slightly loose.
I still think its buyer beware,but if VW fitted them @ the Mexican beetle factory they should be ok.