As you probably have already figured it out, if the red beetle is actually a 1961 Beetle the engine code shown according to The Samba website is a 1960 engine manufactured in November of that year not as your illustration shows. I inherited my dad's 1964 Beetle and thought it was all numbers matching as he purchased it new in 1964. I found out that the engine was period correct but sadly not the original engine it was manufactured with when it left the factory. Some unsavory shop changed it while in for body work. I had purchased a VW Birth Certificate from VW Germany and found out that it was not the original engine and like I mentioned it was period correct. That's the only way to know, VW Germany will tell you if it's not the original engine but will not give you the original engine number to stop serial number fraud. I found the place that did the poor body work and the engine swap but not knowing the serial number I world not be able to locate it. Also to many years have passed when that happened. Good luck, I think it will run again.
The red one is definitely a '61, but all I know about it's history is that it was crashed in 1970 and has supposedly been sitting ever since. There are a few sources of the ID numbers, but the one I used on the engine in that red bug was actually the engine page from the Samba and the other engines I took a screen shot from another site that listed both US and international market numbers. I did notice that the Samba page that includes VIN and front axles numbers shows it as a November 1960 engine like you pointed out. I'm not an expert on the subject matter, but my big book says that engines for the '61 production cars were made starting in August of 1960 and can be identified from late 1960 year model engines by the removable generator stand, as well as a few other details, but that's the easiest to see. It's a great question though and I may have to send off for a birth certificate just for the sake of learning. Thanks for bringing it up, I'll be sure to follow up on this and see if we can get a more definitive answer in the future. As to starting the engine, it clicked, but wouldn't turn over. The cables are terrible so I'm going to slap some new cables on it and try again, but first paying jobs have to get caught up! Maybe next week. Thanks again for the insight and have a great day.
When we were kids mother had two VW's. One was a 1965, and had a 1500 engine. That 1500 would go from 135,000 to 180,000 miles. Her engine was rebuilt three times during the 27 years of ownership. Some people would just go and get a rebuilt exchange engine and install it. The VW engines were changed all the time, and I know people who put a lot of miles on them. One person I know was a VW mechanic, and put over 1,000,000 miles on a 1956 Beetle. When that Beetle rolled over the million mile mark he did say it was on the seventh rebuilt short block. The engine in the Beetle is also easy to remove. You can do it in a half hour if you are experienced, and know what you ate doing. A tune up on the Beetle was about $49.00 at the time, and there was none of the $500.00 tune up like we have on cars today.
I have a original D 40hp with no X. Took it apart and measurements look good still n the crank and case. Just replacing the bearings and lifters first and polishng the crank. The getting a stock piston and jug kit for the long block. Next build will pick up a 1600 and if good build a performance engine
Right on, what vehicle is your 1200 going in? These are fun little engines to build and I really appreciate the modularity of the VW design philosophy. I’m mostly into old American cars and trucks, but everyone needs an old VW or two in their collection 😁
Just the engine for now. I grew up working and owning classic cars and trucks. 65 GMC truck, 68 vw bus, 65 Chevelle Malibu SS, 68 firebird, 67 fastback mustang 2+2, 72 Camero, 65 mustang couple and a couple 70 mustangs one for parts
@@TimsWorkshopTJY I was just browsing your channel, you seem to have quite the eclectic mix of projects, just like what I'm used to. I have a variety of old cars, trucks, boats and motorcycles along with the normal newer stuff that keeps the place running.
I think it’ll be a challenge to get that engine running, but I’m sure you can make it happen! Then again, running and drivable are not exactly synonymous :)
The only reason it's not common to find the exchanged engines is because most of these cars either ended up in the crusher or rotted into the ground somewhere.. because I can promise you there were a ton of these factory installed reman engines installed back in the day
Absolutely, they were common enough back in the day. Besides the cars ending up in the crusher, another reason they are less common now is that the factory exchange program died long ago and aftermarket builders have continued to this day. Thanks for the input and have a great day!
I still see a lot of them on the road today in California. In California the weather did not rot cars like it does in the midwest or eastern United States. I know someone who put over 1,000,000 miles on a 1956 Beetle. During the million mile mark the engine was exchanged with a rebuilt short block 7 times.
Nice video! My engine code comes up as B3138165. The body is a Karmhann Ghia but I can’t seem to confirm. Could this have been swapped from a beetle to a ghia or vice versa, or even a bus? Can you suggest year/make of my serial number? Thanks
Thanks! When I’m back to my office I’ll see if I can nail down your engine for sure, but these are all mostly interchangeable so engine swaps are not only possible, but they are actually very common. I’ll have some kind of answer for you tonight or tomorrow
1200 engines are easily identified. Just look at the intake manifold and the way they are attached to the cylinder head. 1300 - 1600 single port intake manifolds are different.
@@CowboyGarage end play on a fresh motor is .005. Check it with a dial indicator from the flywheel side. If it's over .010 then it probably needs a refresh. These cars are super fun. Congrats.
There’s no possible way you would ever rub those numbers off with a plastic brush and brake cleaner you could scrub till the end of time and those numbers would still be there😂
You are correct. That’s why I use the plastic brush. I’ve seen numbers rubbed off when using a steel brush on brittle magnesium cases before. The worst was watching a guy use a steel brush on a drill, it was like an eraser 😂
Howdy folks, if you need help finding the engine ID info, here is where I pulled the info for this video: www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/engine_letters.php
It definitely wasn’t new, but for an engine that hadn’t been ran in around 45-50 years it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Amazingly enough it was right on the full mark and after spinning the engine over and rechecking it I was shocked to find that it had no water. I guess I expected worse for an engine that last ran before I was born!
Don't get too excited: The factory rebuilds had a reputation for rattling themselves to bits as they didn't torque them up or run them in properly. Lets put it this way: I'd pass it up in favor of one that needed rebuilding and do it myself.
As you probably have already figured it out, if the red beetle is actually a 1961 Beetle the engine code shown according to The Samba website is a 1960 engine manufactured in November of that year not as your illustration shows. I inherited my dad's 1964 Beetle and thought it was all numbers matching as he purchased it new in 1964. I found out that the engine was period correct but sadly not the original engine it was manufactured with when it left the factory. Some unsavory shop changed it while in for body work. I had purchased a VW Birth Certificate from VW Germany and found out that it was not the original engine and like I mentioned it was period correct. That's the only way to know, VW Germany will tell you if it's not the original engine but will not give you the original engine number to stop serial number fraud. I found the place that did the poor body work and the engine swap but not knowing the serial number I world not be able to locate it. Also to many years have passed when that happened. Good luck, I think it will run again.
The red one is definitely a '61, but all I know about it's history is that it was crashed in 1970 and has supposedly been sitting ever since. There are a few sources of the ID numbers, but the one I used on the engine in that red bug was actually the engine page from the Samba and the other engines I took a screen shot from another site that listed both US and international market numbers. I did notice that the Samba page that includes VIN and front axles numbers shows it as a November 1960 engine like you pointed out. I'm not an expert on the subject matter, but my big book says that engines for the '61 production cars were made starting in August of 1960 and can be identified from late 1960 year model engines by the removable generator stand, as well as a few other details, but that's the easiest to see. It's a great question though and I may have to send off for a birth certificate just for the sake of learning. Thanks for bringing it up, I'll be sure to follow up on this and see if we can get a more definitive answer in the future. As to starting the engine, it clicked, but wouldn't turn over. The cables are terrible so I'm going to slap some new cables on it and try again, but first paying jobs have to get caught up! Maybe next week. Thanks again for the insight and have a great day.
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Makasih
Good job man, brake cleaner and elbow grease is a magic combo!
Thanks!
I really appreciate this kind of video. Thanks for the help
Glad it was helpful!
You make it look simple. I am watching to see that engine run. I bet you can do it without much trouble.
Thank-you sir. It helps that I had a great father teaching me about cars ;)
THANKS!!
DANG RIGHT IT WILL RUN,turned over easy over fill oil ,turn motor over as much as u can ,for a few days,get pistons good an oil soaked
When we were kids mother had two VW's. One was a 1965, and had a 1500 engine. That 1500 would go from 135,000 to 180,000 miles. Her engine was rebuilt three times during the 27 years of ownership. Some people would just go and get a rebuilt exchange engine and install it. The VW engines were changed all the time, and I know people who put a lot of miles on them. One person I know was a VW mechanic, and put over 1,000,000 miles on a 1956 Beetle. When that Beetle rolled over the million mile mark he did say it was on the seventh rebuilt short block. The engine in the Beetle is also easy to remove. You can do it in a half hour if you are experienced, and know what you ate doing. A tune up on the Beetle was about $49.00 at the time, and there was none of the $500.00 tune up like we have on cars today.
Times have certainly changed since we were young! Thanks for sharing.
A 1965 surely had no 1500 engine, for the 1500 was introduced in 1966.
Great informative production!!!
Thanks for the feedback!
I have a original D 40hp with no X. Took it apart and measurements look good still n the crank and case. Just replacing the bearings and lifters first and polishng the crank. The getting a stock piston and jug kit for the long block. Next build will pick up a 1600 and if good build a performance engine
Right on, what vehicle is your 1200 going in? These are fun little engines to build and I really appreciate the modularity of the VW design philosophy. I’m mostly into old American cars and trucks, but everyone needs an old VW or two in their collection 😁
Just the engine for now. I grew up working and owning classic cars and trucks. 65 GMC truck, 68 vw bus, 65 Chevelle Malibu SS, 68 firebird, 67 fastback mustang 2+2, 72 Camero, 65 mustang couple and a couple 70 mustangs one for parts
@@TimsWorkshopTJY I was just browsing your channel, you seem to have quite the eclectic mix of projects, just like what I'm used to. I have a variety of old cars, trucks, boats and motorcycles along with the normal newer stuff that keeps the place running.
It'ill run!
I’m betting it will, but it’ll be fun to find out either way. The car was last registered in 1977 and has supposedly been sitting ever since.
I think it’ll be a challenge to get that engine running, but I’m sure you can make it happen! Then again, running and drivable are not exactly synonymous :)
You’re not wrong! As long as it has compression (no valves stuck open) then I’m sure I can feed it enough gas and spark to make some noise!
The only reason it's not common to find the exchanged engines is because most of these cars either ended up in the crusher or rotted into the ground somewhere.. because I can promise you there were a ton of these factory installed reman engines installed back in the day
Absolutely, they were common enough back in the day. Besides the cars ending up in the crusher, another reason they are less common now is that the factory exchange program died long ago and aftermarket builders have continued to this day. Thanks for the input and have a great day!
I still see a lot of them on the road today in California. In California the weather did not rot cars like it does in the midwest or eastern United States. I know someone who put over 1,000,000 miles on a 1956 Beetle. During the million mile mark the engine was exchanged with a rebuilt short block 7 times.
That's what power washers for .that will clean up nice 👌! 😊😊
That’s definitely the easiest way!
Nice video!
My engine code comes up as B3138165. The body is a Karmhann Ghia but I can’t seem to confirm. Could this have been swapped from a beetle to a ghia or vice versa, or even a bus? Can you suggest year/make of my serial number? Thanks
Thanks! When I’m back to my office I’ll see if I can nail down your engine for sure, but these are all mostly interchangeable so engine swaps are not only possible, but they are actually very common. I’ll have some kind of answer for you tonight or tomorrow
1200 engines are easily identified. Just look at the intake manifold and the way they are attached to the cylinder head. 1300 - 1600 single port intake manifolds are different.
Split the cases, have them checked and align bored . Re size the rods and refresh the motor.
Those are magnesium cases, be careful.
Very good input. I’m a machinist at my day job so I’ll definitely mic everything out and align bore as needed. Thanks!
@@CowboyGarage end play on a fresh motor is .005. Check it with a dial indicator from the flywheel side. If it's over .010 then it probably needs a refresh. These cars are super fun. Congrats.
There’s no possible way you would ever rub those numbers off with a plastic brush and brake cleaner you could scrub till the end of time and those numbers would still be there😂
You are correct. That’s why I use the plastic brush. I’ve seen numbers rubbed off when using a steel brush on brittle magnesium cases before. The worst was watching a guy use a steel brush on a drill, it was like an eraser 😂
Cowboy are you from the New England area. Reason I’m asking was wondering if you’ll be at TerryVille ct. show Father’s Day????
No sir, I’m up in central Wyoming. If I ever make it back your way I’ll be sure to reach out and buy you a cup of coffee.
Oh yeah, I remember that now. I was hoping we would get to meet. I would love to see your side of the country someday. Ok Bud have a great weekend.
@@busterstravels1534 anytime you find yourself heading west just let me know.
Howdy folks, if you need help finding the engine ID info, here is where I pulled the info for this video: www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/engine_letters.php
I Know you can make it happen .when you can it will be driven.
That oil was black!!
It definitely wasn’t new, but for an engine that hadn’t been ran in around 45-50 years it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Amazingly enough it was right on the full mark and after spinning the engine over and rechecking it I was shocked to find that it had no water. I guess I expected worse for an engine that last ran before I was born!
Don't get too excited: The factory rebuilds had a reputation for rattling themselves to bits as they didn't torque them up or run them in properly. Lets put it this way: I'd pass it up in favor of one that needed rebuilding and do it myself.
Good to know. I will definitely be building the engine that I’m using. Thanks