VW 3 Rib vs 6 Rib Bell Housings for VW Dune Buggy and Sand Rail

VW 3 Rib vs. 6 Rib Bell Housings

VW bus bell housings are interchageable. Sometimes in dune buggies, woods buggie and sand rails people will change bell housings so that they can use a different starter. Sometimes people just assemble whatever they have.

No matter the reason it is useful to know how to spot a three rib or six rib bell housing. Three rib starters are typically much cheaper than six rib starters, which is why many people change the bell housings. Three rib and five rib transmissions share the same bell housing. Three rib and five rib transmissions use stock VW bug starters. Six rib bell housings on 091 and 094 transmissions share a unique starter.

In short sedan transmissions, 3 rib transmissions and 5 rib transmissions share the same starter. Six rib transmissions use a unique starter.

VW 3 Rib / 5 Rib Bell Housing

VW 6 Rib Bell Housing

Here is a side-by-side of VW 3 rib and 6 rib starters