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Engine ID
Sbug 71 - January 26th, 2015 at 10:30 AM

G'day Dubbers and Happy Aus day,

Can anyone point me in the direction of some sort of engine number guide for the type 1 engines. I'm trying to work out exactly what donk I've got in this bug. All I know is it is a twin port but don't know how to tell what size.

Cheers.

spearsy - January 26th, 2015 at 11:06 AM

Here is a list from the samba. It will tell you what case you have but if the previous owner put bigger pots on you wont be able to tell unless you pull it down or ask.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/engine_letters.php 

fish26 - January 26th, 2015 at 11:56 AM

The list will give you the engines original size, to find out the current size you would need to pull a head off.

vw54 - January 26th, 2015 at 01:07 PM

put some pics up but as above you wont be able to tell exact size unless you pull the heads

Sbug 71 - January 26th, 2015 at 03:27 PM

OK. Judging from the list and my engine number, it's a 40 bhp 1300 case (starts with F0). I was told it was 1800cc when I bought it and looked at the twin port manifold and judging from the lack of power figured it was probs stock, poorly tuned 1600cc and the bloke didn't know what he was talking about. I guess I'll only really know when I pull the heads off and find out what size the pots are. Thanks for the help everyone.
Cheers.

vw54 - January 26th, 2015 at 04:10 PM

F series are usually 1500cc

fish26 - January 26th, 2015 at 06:28 PM

F0 is 1300cc 66' single port most of the time, yours may have 1300cc twin port heads, pull a rocker cover off and tell us the number and pull a head off to be sure, it may be a poorly built big bore engine as you were told.

vw54 - January 26th, 2015 at 06:59 PM

COULD be any size until its striped n measured including the crank

the case should have only one oil pressure relief valve at the back of case

Sbug 71 - January 30th, 2015 at 02:30 PM

OK. I guess I'll have to pull it down to find out for sure. I'm tipping it may well be a poorly built big bore as most of the modifications on the car have been done poorly so I wouldn't be suprised. My aim is to get it running and registered first, then I might look at doing an engine rebuild.
Thanks to all for the info and advice.
Cheers.

Sbug 71 - February 11th, 2015 at 10:56 AM

I guess my next question is; given that we've established that it is 1300 case, can I use this case to build a sweet motor with new replacement parts (i.e. bores, pistons, crankshaft, heads)?

vw54 - February 11th, 2015 at 11:12 AM

No not a good starting point with this block

adlbeetle66 - February 12th, 2015 at 06:22 AM

On my 1776, i started off with a 1600 Type 3 Motor - now its in the back of my 1966 beetle..

hus22l - February 13th, 2015 at 05:59 AM

Depends on what a "sweet" motor is. If your going to increase capacity more than 1600cc. I wouldn't use the 1300cc FO case you have. You could make the 1300 run sweet, but it will always be a 1300. Find a 1600 case and start from there, the twin relief "as41" is a good one to look for. Engine # prefix is AD (or with an A... Check that list). Many people will say buy a new case.. Depends on how much you want to spend.

There are a couple of good books that are a good starting place ("how to hot rod volkswagen engines by Bill Fisher, or the vw engine/parts interchange guide - by Keith seume). Not sure I have that second title right

Sbug 71 - February 13th, 2015 at 07:35 AM

Thanks hus22l. Hitting the books may well be the answer. I think the lesson I'm learning is not to trust what the seller tells you. At least I'm learning more about engines.