TheSamba.com :: View topic - What year engine is this in my 1954 oval?

Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:57 pm

I believe it was changed to a 1600cc in 1987 but I can't equate the number (below) to the published lists. No doubt this is me being stupid, what year is it?

Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:11 pm

Hi,

B prefix = 35 Kw 47 Hp 1584 cc 2 08/'67>07/'70 Single Port

The X at the end indicates a rebuilt

Any other stamps on the case? near the joint above the pulley?
On the side of the generator mount base ??

Dave

Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:54 pm

djkeev wrote: Any other stamps on the case? near the joint above the pulley?
Thanks for the info so far.

I'm unaware of any other numbers... just in case you can see something I can't, here are some of the original hi-res pics I took. I can take another look tomorrow if needs be:

Edit: Looks like Photobucket have reduced the images. I can post them to the gallery if that will be of any help.
PS. Will that air filter be okay for a '54?

Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:23 pm

NOTHING in that cars engine compartment is correct for a 54 beetle!

Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:19 am

tasb wrote: NOTHING in that cars engine compartment is correct for a 54 beetle!

Ah true...

BUT, His will go faster, cost less to repair, has better heat and parts are easy to find!
Not at all a bad thing.
There are huge numbers, maybe even the majority of the Beetles on America's highways don't have the original engine in them.

I'd be a lot more worried about all of the missing parts, some fairly crucial!

Dave

Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:13 pm

tasb wrote: NOTHING in that cars engine compartment is correct for a 54 beetle!
I didn't think so. I've been looking for an early engine recently but thought I'd give it one last chance of a reprieve!

I had been toying with doing the bare minimum to get that engine back into service and getting the car road legal, but I think my time, money and effort will be better spent on a more original engine.

Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:46 pm

Andrew, are you going to put a 54 motor back in with all the correct parts or just any 36 hp motor?

If you want a 54 motor with all the correct bits, then I would suggest fixing up the motor that is in it as cheaply as possible while you begin what could be a long search for all the correct parts for a 54 motor.

If you just want any 36 hp, then I'd buy that and get it installed. It shouldn't be hard to find one. That will get you on the road relatively quickly. You could add a 54 air cleaner, fuel pump, regulator etc as you find them.

Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:11 am

andrew i just put in a 65 beetle engine into my oval, it fits nicely and goes way better than original 56 oval engine which i did not have but drove onbe before (very slooww..):) i think your engine could be a 65/66 from what i see, go for 60's engine! you will still have oval window at the back..:)

Fri May 09, 2008 3:23 pm

I have sourced a 1955 engine that, at a later date, will be going in the car. In the meantime I will be using the 47hp engine that's came with the car.

It looks like the heads/pistons/barrels on the 48hp are nearly 'new' - superficial carbon deposits on the head/pistons, honing marks still visible in the cylinders and the pistons are very unmarked. Hopefully this motor will be trouble free.

I offered up my single-tip muffler earlier and it clearly won't fit this 47hp engine. The exhaust ports on the engine are about 1/2" too far apart. What is it that makes the 47hp 'wider', is it a longer stroke and therefore taller cylinders, or are the heads taller too?

The rear valence doesn't have any tailpipe cutouts so I think I'm going to need to buy a '67- muffler and reposition (lower) the tailpipe outlets. Am I missing something, is there an easier way of doing this?