What is it? Type 1,2 ,3 or 4?

I bought this from a college student in NE Ohio yesterday after seeing it advertised on the Samba.com as a Type 4 engine.

The bloke said that he pulled it out of a bus a couple of years back, which I know is a type 2 really but thought that the engine block at least was the same as the type 4 (i.e. Al and not Mg).

Maybe I was expecting something different, but when I pulled of the clutch this morning I only saw a single gland nut, not the six bolts I was expecting to see on a bus engine.

Also, the engine ID number I have found on the block starts 043 - which I thought means that it is a Type 1. But what a type 1 would be doing with a flat cooling system in a bus I have no idea!

Am I being extremely naive about identifying this, and it is a bus engine after all? Could this be a type 3 engine? What is it?

Cheers,

Jim

Yup, looks like a type 3

Judging by the position of the generator, I'd agree . . . Type III. Type IV's have an underslung alternator on the passenger side.

A shot of the "rear" would cinch it.

TC: Maybe we should take a run out there to check it out ourselves.....


No, WAIT A MINUTE! There's a lot of SNOW out there!!

Jim: Spin it around and take another picture - I didn't bring along a snow shovel down here, anyway!

gn

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the replies. Whatever it is, it is now mounted on an engine stand so photos of the reverse side are now possible (see below).

So if it is indeed a Type 3 - would it be worth using as the basis for a larger engine?

Or should I consider myself burned by some snot-nosed punk? (I'm sure he's not like that really, I just feel like letting out some agression on someone or thing).

Anyway, the snow has almost gone, for the time being, as shown by the photo from my front door. So snow shovels, blowers and plows are not needed. It is, however, still as cold as the proverbial well-diggers arse!

Cheers,

Jim

The "freezing his nadgers in Michigan" speedster bloke.

Yup,

Gordon's correct. It's a Type III all right.

If you're converting it to an upright configuration, wanna sell the dip stick tube, attachment housing and dipstick itself? I need one for the aluminum race-case mill.

Take a look at the rocker arms. I've heard rumors that a lot of the Type III's came with factory installed 1.25:1 ratio rockers, but never owned a Type III to check out

TC,

You are more than welcome to the bits you need. I may not get around to taking them off for a couple of weeks though - can you wait? If you pay for the postage they're yours.

I will look at the rockers when I get the chance - what are the identifying marks for 1.25 rockers?

Lastly, if it is a type 3, what size engine is it likely to be?

Cheers,

Jim.

If I remember correctly a Type 3 could be either a 1500 (the earlier ones) or a 1600 (the more recent ones).

Thanks Jim!

I could use the dip stick and tube assemble that bolts to the block, and the oil filler/breather that bolts to the top right or the case where the generator stand usually goes on a Type I. Just let me know when.

You really won't know the size until you check the engine numbers on the case. Looks like a 1600 based on the carbs /manifolds.

I'll try to get the 1.25:1 part numbers for you.. or just compare them to a stock Type I rocker, you'll see the difference.

Clean them up and put the carbs, linkage and air cleaner set-up back on TheSamba, they're impossible to find around here. Someone's gonna want them if they're good!

This guy's looking for a complete set right now! Get in touch with him . . .
www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=146834

Thanks!

Jim -
This is totally unrelated, but is Dexter the town between Ann Arbor and Chelsea? The summer before I transferred to Penn State from U of M, I ran a house painting business in Ann Arbor.

Adam

Jim,
Type 3 . Owned several. Matter of fact, I put a type 3 converted to an upright in my last bug. There is no difference between the type 3 and the type one motor except for the hole in the case where the dipstick tube bolts on. Most VW shops sell a block off plate for that. Otherwise, just take all the tin off and fan housing and bolt your type one tin on.

Definatly not a type 4. If it is dual port it is most likely a 1600. If it is a single port it is a 1500.

The quckest way to spot a T4 is the exaust exits the bottom of the heads instead of the front and back, they are always dual port but the ports are spread aprt, not right next to each other like the VW. The case is different in shape on the top as well. The generator/Alt is mounted bottom left external to the tin as well.

Busses came with the type 1 (upright) motor until like 71. After that they came with a pancake style type 4 until 82. They never came with a pancake type 3 engine, though it would fit.

By the way, the heater boxes are worth something if they can be saved. Impossible to find new ones and used ones arn't much better.

Sorry dude.

Type 3. Anyone else need parts? I've got two engines and lots of spare tin and other parts. Here's one lurking in the lower left..

Brian

Adam,

Yes, that's the Dexter I know and love.
When we knew that we were coming to the US, my wife and I came over and spent a week with a realtor looking for houses.
We both wanted to live in or near Ann Arbor (even though I work in Detroit NW suburbs) as it was the most 'European' of the cities we looked at in the SE Michigan area. I guess the U of M has major influence in this regard.

Anyway, what was wrong with U of M that you had to leave an go to Penn?

Jim.