How to Identify VW Engine Size by Block Number
Volkswagen engines were first developed in Germany by Ferdinand Porsche during the 1930s. The Volkswagen Beetle would later become the most popular car in the world, partially because Volkswagen's air-cooled engines were reliable and easily swapped with other Volkswagen vehicles, regardless of model. Volkswagen engines included the 1192, 1285, 1548, 1679, 1285 and the1493 cubic-centimeter models. However, Volkswagen rounded the engine sizes up, so a 1548 cubic centimeter engine is called a Volkswagen 1600. Identification of the Volkswagen engine can by accomplished by locating the engine casting number on the engine block.
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Instructions
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Locate the engine casting number. According to Bustopia, the engine casting number is located below the generator stand, which is mounted to the top of the engine. The generator stand is in the center between the two valve covers. The number is usually one or two letters, followed by a set of numbers, " U1000011," for example.
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Write down the casting number. Be sure the number is easily read before recording it. This may require cleaning the area with a wire brush and cleaning solvent to properly read the engine number.
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Decode the Volkswagen engine number. The letters at the beginning of the engine code are the engine size identifiers, with the following numbers being production numbers. The example, " U1000011," decodes as a 1965 1584 cubic-centimeter engine, when referenced to the listing found on Bustopia. Both Bustopia and the Samba's VW engine letters page have VW casting number listings.
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Tips & Warnings
Volkswagen engines were sometimes bored to a larger size, increasing the displacement of the engine. This may be an issue, because the engine's displacement will no longer match the engine code. In this case, the only true way to determine engine size is to measure the bore and stroke.
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