Much ado about matching numbers

ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 · 17 Feb 2010, 5:02 pm

#763081

Hey guys .. just thought i would ask u all about u think i should do to my motor?

I'm in the process of saving my pennies to start my little project. I was looking at engines online and it got me thinking... am i better saving my original motor (matching numbered 1500 single port) and keeping it somewhere or should i use it as a base and build on it?

Its my daily driver and i don't think i'm ever gonna sell it (i love it too much 🙂 ) do u think its worth holding onto?

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 17 Feb 2010, 7:35 pm

#763098

are you keeping the car fully stock?

mine still had the factory engine as listed in the dealership logbook and original purchase reciept when i bought it
its still sitting under my house now as like you i'm big on the matching numbers thing aswell as i kept the car all stock to start with but its slowly ended up more and more modified so that engine will probably sit for eternity now

just something to think about
if your planning a concouse restoration one day then keep it aside otherwise if its a good sound block then why not use it?

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 17 Feb 2010, 8:24 pm

#763111

Also, if it's your daily driver think of the extra time the car will be off the road after you pull your motor out, strip it down, send it off for checking and if ok then having it all machined and then rebuilding etc.

If you build up another engine whilst still driving your car, you will probably only have the car off the road for half a day.

And as Joel said, keep original under the house. If you every have trouble with the hot motor, you can always pull it out, whack the original back in whilst working on the hottie and still keep the car on the road. And if you love the motor and want to keep it but sell the car to upgrade - well you know this answer.

Something to think about, Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 17 Feb 2010, 8:32 pm

#763112

I agree with keeping the og for all the above reasons, + a performance metor really needs a sound base, a new block, not one that has gone rotten from too many hot-cold cycles, even in a good stock rebuild often the case isn't up to scratch, so while it's still running, keep it that way.

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Feb 2010, 11:17 am

#763182

ClockworkMonkey wrote:Hey guys .. just thought i would ask u all about u think i should do to my motor?

I'm in the process of saving my pennies to start my little project. I was looking at engines online and it got me thinking... am i better saving my original motor (matching numbered 1500 single port) and keeping it somewhere or should i use it as a base and build on it?

Its my daily driver and i don't think i'm ever gonna sell it (i love it too much 🙂 ) do u think its worth holding onto?

KEEP it standard.....
for a spare....

the 1500 single port engines are good....

I used mine... in My beetle... but have a spare...

not many beetles have the original engine in them...

it doesn't worry Me really... matching numbers..

LEE

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds

2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Feb 2010, 12:23 pm

#763190

In fact matching numbers are not even necessary for VW councours shows - at least at the VW Nationals. If you enter in the 'Standard' category, the judges would expect to see a 'standard' looking engine but wouldn't care if its an H or AD or anything else. You aren't maked down for non-original engine, so long as it is still in original-style layout. The cars are judged on cleanliness and attention to detail in its presentation.

All that matching numbers and 1960s air in the tyres stuff is for the Jaguar and MG crowd - we don't do it.

ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 · 1 Mar 2010, 12:12 pm

#765101

yeah i'm not too concerned about it either ... i think it might be a good idea to keep it just as a spare just in cases though. its a good little motor, but i am saving up for a bit more bang 🙂

jsheppard64 Officially Full-On Dubber

323 posts · joined Mar 2008 · 4 Mar 2010, 12:51 am

#765677

68AutoBug wrote:it doesn't worry Me really... matching numbers..

LEE

It looks like color coding your motor worries you.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 4 Mar 2010, 10:48 am

#765711

we got some sharp ones around here 😂