TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:53 pm

My engine number is:

AE021153

I believe it should have another number, but it doesn't.

It's in a 68-69 beetle, but I think the engine is new. Is there any way to tell?
TIA

Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:22 pm

Hiya bus,

John, it's difficult to tell exactly what you do have for an engine because it could have been rebuilt using other than OEM parts. But I can tell you that an AE series engine is not from the 1969 production year.

An AE (in its original configuration) is a dual port 1600 which developed 60 hp SAE and 50 hp DIN. It was specified for use only in the North American market. Production started on this engine in 1971 and ran through mid 1973. Your engine (judging by its number) would be from early in the 1971 production year.

Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:48 pm

I've seen a few factory rebuilt engines that came with the AE prefix or AES (presumably the S was added by VW). I'm talking about VW short-blocks that were sold through dealers back in the '70s when I was in high school. So, it's possible that the previous owner needed a rebuilt engine and got it from the dealer...or it's just an aftermarket rebuild based on a '71 case...

Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:18 pm

nothing to fret about for sure.

Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:22 pm

Factory rebuilts came with NO engine number, just the prefix. Which told what the internals were.
The dealer was supposed to stamp the rest of the serial number in.
Also a rebuilt would have the double arrow circle stamp indicating rebuilt.

Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:31 pm

John,

Here's the slip for one of the factory rebuilt shortblocks that I bought in 1979, when my original AH engine threw a rod through the case. It was a returned AE case that VW rebuilt as a short-block:

Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:55 pm

thanks for all the info.

I really don't care of course what it is. It nice that it's a 1600 little more powerful.

What is a short block?

Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:00 pm

John,

The AE is an excellent engine, as it has a dual-relief oil system and was originally a 1600 cc, so you have a good foundation!

I rebuilt one for my previous '69 Bus and got many years service from it!

Good luck!

Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:11 pm

bus boy john wrote:
What is a short block?
Short block is a long block minus the heads, pistons, and cylinders...

Long block is valve cover to valve cover. No tin or accessories...

Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:05 am

Funny, my '68 had has an AE case too!