checking body and engine numbers?

nsuwift Seriously Crusin Dubber

127 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 31 Aug 2010, 5:10 pm

#799561

Is there a website where you could check the engine/body numbers to see if they match. The reason I ask is my notchback seems to have a noise coming from the main bearing. And I can get a replacement motor for it, but would rather keep the other one if it is original.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 31 Aug 2010, 5:19 pm

#799564

Hi
I don't know of any websites for the type 3 then again I've never looked.. lol

put Your engine and chassis number on here..

I'm sure someone can help

LEE

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

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 31 Aug 2010, 6:10 pm

#799577

What a strange sentiment. Surely if you don't even know now whether your engine is original or not, why would replacing it with another one matter?

The easiest, but not necessarily most reliable, way to check whether it's the original engine or not is to look on the rego papers. Engine numbers are recorded on the vehicle registration database, and in my experience people generally don't bother to get it changed on their paperwork when they do an engine change.

1972 VW S-Bug - For Sale!
1968-onwards Beetle panels and glass for sale

pod i`ve got to finish this thing one day

4,980 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 31 Aug 2010, 10:16 pm

#799651

its not a strange sentiment ,as in a few years time when people are looking for matching numbers cars they are worth more dollars.And in NSW yearly pink slip inspections would show its not changed and the records would be put right..

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Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds

2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 1 Sep 2010, 8:13 am

#799687

I don't think there'd be many VWs left still with their original engines. It's probably important in the expensive classic car scene - does that Deusenberg or Jaguar E-Type still have its original engine? But it's not something we check at the concours judging at the VW Nationals, except for context. You'd expect an oval to still have a 36-hp 1200, and a Superbug to have a twin-port 1600, but otherwise no one knows or cares if the engine number is the exact original. Yours might not even the same engine now that it left Clayton with. Flat Four didn't check engine engine numbers at the Shootout either, and no 1500 Type 3 ever lost points because it had a new 1600 long block in it. Unless it dripped oil.

I don't think the Australian assembly records, of what engine was fitted to what chassis number, still exist (if they ever did).

I think you could replace your existing Type 3 1500 with any rebuilt similar engine and no one would care. Changing the number at the RTA is not an issue if it's the same type. By all means have your existing engine rebuilt if you want; contact your local VW specialist.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 1 Sep 2010, 10:42 am

#799724

waveman1500 wrote:and in my experience people generally don't bother to get it changed on their paperwork when they do an engine change.

Hi
You do in NSW....
or it costs YOU money...
and can put Your vehicle off the road...

Many mechanics who do rego checks every year [in NSW] also check the engine number...

Police can also check it...

I;ve always changed the numbers on All My cars over the years...

LEE

PS: and having the original engine means nothing to Me...
even though My Beetle has the original engine, if it needed replacing it would be... LEE

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

patbot Casual Dubber

45 posts · joined Sep 2009 · 9 Apr 2011, 4:44 pm

#834834

Hi, I've occasionally wondered if mine has matching numbers and assumed it didn't because my mum said something about my dad having had a reconditioned engine put in and we're not even the first owners, but I thought I'd check just for the sake of it. The chassis (under the seat) has 3642029, and where I've circled on the pic has 6792904... are they in any way matching for what is supposed to be a '61 bug? Cheers.

1961 L380 Turquoise Beetle

volumex Officially Full-On Dubber

389 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 9 Apr 2011, 7:46 pm

#834868

Link to Type 3 chassis number/engine number info: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/serialnumberst3.php
As has been said, use rego papers or delivery papers if you can as Australian numbers can be screwy compared to German records.

Either way, get the noise investigated as, depending on what the noise is, the case may be saved if it is a bearing letting go and it is caught early enough.

volumex Officially Full-On Dubber

389 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 9 Apr 2011, 7:50 pm

#834869

patbot wrote:Hi, I've occasionally wondered if mine has matching numbers and assumed it didn't because my mum said something about my dad having had a reconditioned engine put in and we're not even the first owners, but I thought I'd check just for the sake of it. The chassis (under the seat) has 3642029, and where I've circled on the pic has 6792904... are they in any way matching for what is supposed to be a '61 bug? Cheers.

Chassis is early Feb 61 & engine is May 62.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php
Same caveat re Australian numbers as above.