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Definitive Engine Number Prefix List??

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bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#772694
Hi,

Is there anywhere that has a definitive list of engine number prefixes for Aussie produced and sold 70's VW's, especially bugs, superbugs?

I know VW engines can be mecchano sets of mismatched parts, but I'd like to know if the engine in any car I look at started life as a 1300/1500/1600 or whatever and also if it's roughly the right era for the car.

I'm looking for something like:
AS = XXXXcc mm/yy to mm/yy
AB = YYYYcc mm/yy to mm/yy
ZZ = AAAAccc mm/yy to mm/yy

I'm hoping there is a half-decent FAQ somewhere. 😎

(Yes, I have searched, a lot!)

Thanks,
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#772707
general rule of thumb when it comes to aussie bugs

1200s never had letters but they stopped in late 65
1300 were F and were 66-67
1500 were H and started in 68 and went through till early 71 overlapping Sbugs.

Sbugs started in 1/71 and all had AD 1600twin ports

Lbugs which started in early 73 finished off the last of the AD1600s then AS 1600 started with 8mm headstuds in late 73 and kept going till the last 76 standard bugs
finished

and then there was the 1300 pov spec bugs
they were released sometime in 70 but i've never verified whether they had 1300 single port or what
but the 71-73 ran a AB 1300 TP from 71
and 74 up till they ended in early 75 were AR 1300 TP

there was probably a few exceptions out there but that was the usual theme

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#772736
Thanks Joel, that's exactly the info I'm after.

This forum is very helpful. 👍

Looked at one bug last weekend, hoping to line up another couple for next weekend. 🙂

Cheers,
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder