36hp engine number do you know what this means?

kuta Casual Dubber

44 posts · joined Aug 2010 · 28 Apr 2011, 9:22 am

#838187

Can anyone tell me what they know about the engine number on a 36hp engine i picked up? The number stamped is KDA001914. I was told it was out of a 59 but would have thought that it should have numbers only and start with a 2 or a 3.

1957 Oval Window under slow restoration.
1959 Under slow preservation

Kombi_Rescue Wolfsburg Wizard

440 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 28 Apr 2011, 12:59 pm

#838206

thats a factory exchange engine.....they were available complete turn key option...cheers

oldtub356 Seriously Crusin Dubber

139 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 28 Apr 2011, 1:00 pm

#838208

I have x2 answers plus a guess:

Worldwide KD "usually" means KnockDown in the auto industry. But, it can vary within each manufacturer as needs demand. There is a German translation for KD (which I can't find at the moment), it doesn't translate precisely to "KnockDown", more like "factory supplied"??.

1). Some times it is/was used when counties (like Australia/New Zealand) had heavy import tariffs on fully assembled imported cars. Knocked Down full or partial car Kits where imported at a lot cheaper tariff because of local labour being used to complete assembly. At various times VWs in Oz had changing amounts of KD component/assemblies.
Some significant parts "could be" marked as KD - Chassis, Engine, Transmission.

2). Often, repairs, such as full engine replacements, would see either an engine case or a full engine replaced with a factory unit (ie. not repaired) - these would be marked KD prefix to a new (usually low) serial number. (For Warranty record purposes)

The guess: The KDA could mean "KnockDownAustralia" - the VWAustralian factory being the source of a replacement engine or case. The use of VWA stamped on some components/accessories was standard practice. It is possible that early days assembly in Oz - before full factory production, versions of KD were being used when necessary, some marked KD, some not.

These KD numbering processes were not religiously applied and come and went over time.

Have a look here for the long answer re: KnockDown:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock-down_kit

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 28 Apr 2011, 1:24 pm

#838212

thats a factory exchange engine.....

Ill go with Steves answer

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

farkengruven Seriously Crusin Dubber

167 posts · joined Jan 2006 · 28 Apr 2011, 5:16 pm

#838251

oldtub356 wrote:I have x2 answers plus a guess:

Worldwide KD "usually" means KnockDown in the auto industry. But, it can vary within each manufacturer as needs demand. There is a German translation for KD (which I can't find at the moment), it doesn't translate precisely to "KnockDown", more like "factory supplied"??.

1). Some times it is/was used when counties (like Australia/New Zealand) had heavy import tariffs on fully assembled imported cars. Knocked Down full or partial car Kits where imported at a lot cheaper tariff because of local labour being used to complete assembly. At various times VWs in Oz had changing amounts of KD component/assemblies.
Some significant parts "could be" marked as KD - Chassis, Engine, Transmission.

2). Often, repairs, such as full engine replacements, would see either an engine case or a full engine replaced with a factory unit (ie. not repaired) - these would be marked KD prefix to a new (usually low) serial number. (For Warranty record purposes)

The guess: The KDA could mean "KnockDownAustralia" - the VWAustralian factory being the source of a replacement engine or case. The use of VWA stamped on some components/accessories was standard practice. It is possible that early days assembly in Oz - before full factory production, versions of KD were being used when necessary, some marked KD, some not.

These KD numbering processes were not religiously applied and come and went over time.

Have a look here for the long answer re: KnockDown:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock-down_kit

No offence, but that is a whole lot of dribble there.......No need to guess, if you don't know....then you don't know.

Factory VW exchange engines in Germany were stamped KD. KD stands for Kunendienst ("exchange service")
Factory VW exchange engines in Australia were stamped KDA. The A being or Australia.

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Kombi_Rescue Wolfsburg Wizard

440 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 28 Apr 2011, 7:02 pm

#838277

no offence ...what would I know ..family dealer since 1955...and fitted plenty as a full turnkey option

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 28 Apr 2011, 7:24 pm

#838285

Hi

The later VW exchange short motors (no tinware, exhaust or fuel system etc) had no engine number, just the engine type letters F, AD etc and a VW symbol with recycling styel circular arrow around it.

Steve