TheSamba.com :: View topic - Cannot locate Type 4 engine code. Need some help.

Sun Jul 13, 2014 11:12 am

I was looking for my engine code to make sure I get the right heads for it. I looked on the fan shroud and on the case just behind the fan shroud as Ratwell.com site suggests
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FAQ/images/EngineID.jpg

I did however find this on the left side towards the firewall. Any ideas?

thanks once again for the help. :D

Sun Jul 13, 2014 11:24 am

That case could have been anything when it was born so it makes no difference now. The VC means Volkswagen of Canada and as the sticker denotes its been remanufactured.
Save for small detail changes....all of the type 4 cases are fully interchangable. There are no specific heads that go with any particular engine case. It could be built any displacement. ..and can use any type 4 heads.

The question is.....if you are re-using everything but the heads.....what diameter of cylinders do you already have? That will tell you what stock head will fit....or what to have a head flycut to.

Also since its beeb remanufactured I would split the case and measure the bearing bores to see what was done and how well. Ray

Sun Jul 13, 2014 11:33 am

raygreenwood wrote: That case could have been anything when it was born so it makes no difference now. The VC means Volkswagen of Canada and as the sticker denotes its been remanufactured.

That crossed my mind Ray but I didn't want to state the obvious. :lol: It's weird that they would not keep the original code on there so the engine could be identified for future reference. Seems weird to me. Might as well call the engine code JD or John Doe. lol

Is there markings on the heads to identify them? I haven't looked into that as of yet. They have dual inlets and oval exhaust ports (which may be a standard) but that's all I know about them. I have worked on VW water cooled uprights for years but I am pretty new to the air cooled game. It's been a pretty interesting learning curve so far.

Sun Jul 13, 2014 11:55 am

Odd that the sticker doesn't include any series letters, usually it'll say G or C or something ahead of thier serial number. Have a close look at both sides of the sump, I've seen some VWC remans with things like 2.0 HYD stamped there.
As Ray says you'll still want to look inside, VWC's engine plant was only a few steps above GEX in build quality, they did the absolute bare minimum required to get it back to spec, the difference is they had quality parts to work with if they did replace something.

Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:17 pm

Thanks for the replies guys! I guess I will have to look more closely once the engine is out and on the stand.

Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:18 pm

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1125766.jpg

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

Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:20 pm

Tcash wrote:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1125766.jpg

Interesting! Ratwell doesn't mention the location on the right. I'll check it out now!

Thanks Tcash!! 8)

Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:31 pm

It is not on the right. That is a top view of the middle of the case.

Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:33 pm

LOL upon closer look of your picture Tcash the location on the right is a superimposed picture of the engine number by the crankcase. lol I got excited there thinking I missed a spot! But I already checked there. :(

Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:33 pm

Type 4 car (411/412) and Porsche motors have the number on the top of the case like that.

Sun Jul 13, 2014 12:50 pm

busdaddy wrote: Type 4 car (411/412) and Porsche motors have the number on the top of the case like that.

No sir....only Porsche motors. The type 4 cars (411, 412) had the engine codes in the same place as busses...on the oil filler chimney area.

VW of Canada.....would never put initials for John Doe.....TH for Tim Horton's or CT for Canadian Tire...sure! :lol:
Ray

Sun Jul 13, 2014 1:00 pm

raygreenwood wrote: busdaddy wrote: Type 4 car (411/412) and Porsche motors have the number on the top of the case like that.

No sir....only Porsche motors. The type 4 cars (411, 412) had the engine codes in the same place as busses...on the oil filler chimney area.

Good to know....................damn, that 72 I used to have really did have a Porsche motor in it :shock: :P

Sun Jul 13, 2014 1:42 pm

If this is the part number for the case, you can look it up. Where are the numbers on a Bus Type 4?

Sun Jul 13, 2014 3:46 pm

As Ray said the case doesn't matter. What you need to know is the piston size and maybe the outside diameter of the jugs where they fit into the heads. A 1700 engine could easily have been built up to an 1800 or 2000, or a 1800 or 2000 could have been built down to a 1700. Any value in the original serial number disappeared with the first rebuild, at this point it is a Type 4 case interchangeable with any other Type 4 case.

In rare instances the case may have been bored out to take larger than 94mm P&C's, that is about all you need to worry about with the case and the serial number will not help.

Sun Jul 13, 2014 9:46 pm

raygreenwood wrote:
VW of Canada.....would never put initials for John Doe.....TH for Tim Horton's or CT for Canadian Tire...sure! :lol:
Ray

Would be better if they did because it would give me a place to start research! :lol:

Looks like I will measure the bores once I get the head(s) off.

Thanks for your input on this guys!

Sun Nov 21, 2021 8:51 am

FreedomBuild wrote: LOL upon closer look of your picture Tcash the location on the right is a superimposed picture of the engine number by the crankcase. lol I got excited there thinking I missed a spot! But I already checked there. :(

RIGHT ! Now I'm in the same boat as you were 7 years ago ...I have a 1972 VW Westy Bus/W an apparently rebuilt motor W/ NO code stamped in case ? The only visual clue to this engine that seems different is the oil fill is thru the Breather ? on top , unlike my other 73/74? Bus , and the dipstick is on the top and doesn't seem to function correctly i.e. " its too long to come out W/O hitting underside of rear floor pan . The engine now has a newer ? single carb setup . It runs strong ,now that I re- sorted a few things out ,But I'm clueless as to what this beast is ? A-N-Y , help is greatly appreciated ? Thanxz ! :?: :idea: :arrow:

Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:18 am

Vanagon engine.

Sun Nov 21, 2021 1:26 pm

Jeff Geisen wrote: Vanagon engine.

Or a 411/412 or 914 engine....all of which had top mounted dipsticks.

Ray

Sun Nov 21, 2021 2:41 pm

I had this label on my 78 bus. It was an original California vehicle, but somehow ended up in British Columbia.

Sun Nov 21, 2021 3:12 pm

rottenkid wrote:
I had this label on my 78 bus. It was an original California vehicle, but somehow ended up in British Columbia.

That number..... 039 100 031....if you dig around you will find cryptic notes that it is a Porsche part number for a complete replacement or rebuilt engine assembly.

Ray