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Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:46 pm

I found a GE code. Will this work in my 1974 412

Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:37 pm

Johnnybentwrench wrote: I found a GE code. Will this work in my 1974 412

A GE engine would have started life as a 2000cc FI bus engine. I think the GE code was used for both the 1978 and 1979 engines which are not really all that interchangeable due to the exhaust ports being different. The 79 is a bit of a genetic mutant and its good to know whether its a Federal or California engine. Any GE engine can be made to work with a 411/412 though. With the 1978 engine you might want to use the entire 411/412 exhaust and with the 1979 engine you would need to use the 1979 heater boxes and the 411/412 muffler (same as the 72-74 bus muffler). Others hopefully will comment on the exact swap difference between the Federal and Cali engines.

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

You will still need to figure out what to do with the fan shroud and pulley so that you can time your engine once installed. I might have these parts around.

How about a picture of this engine showing as much as possible of the exhaust system. Pictures of any EPA stickers on the fans shroud would be good as well.

Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:03 am

The guy says GE is a 1979 2000cc California with 1979 vanagon heads?? No pictures it's an hour and a half away.

Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:31 am

The left side heat exchanger and exhaust would be hard to deal with off the California engine. I think you would want to find the left federal heat exchanger to use if you go with this engine. (There was a '79 heat exchanger for sale on eBay a month or two ago, not sure if it was right or left, but can't find it now) Not sure if you need spacers or not to connect the Federal heat exchangers to the 411-412 muffler, but they are available if needed.

This is a '79 California system, note the difference between the right and left heat exchangers.

Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:50 am

I really do not want to track down the missing bits plus rebuild the engine too. I am talking to two different poeple about there 1974 412's. I will deal with this car after i find a good usable one. Thanks for the advise. I really now nothing about VW's. Like I have said before I am a reformed V-8 guy who thought VW would be quick, cheap and easy. wrong, wrong & wrong. I am not giving up though , just looking for another one too

Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:53 am

Johnnybentwrench wrote: I really do not want to track down the missing bits plus rebuild the engine too. I am talking to two different poeple about there 1974 412's. I will deal with this car after i find a good usable one. Thanks for the advise. I really now nothing about VW's. Like I have said before I am a reformed V-8 guy who thought VW would be quick, cheap and easy. wrong, wrong & wrong. I am not giving up though , just looking for another one too

That's a common misconception. While VW's are cheaper to rebuild on the whole compared to American iron, they still do cost money to do them right. You just managed to choose a model that has the least demand for parts and also has the smallest parts supply. I did the same thing with my 412 but I am working through it's issues and one day soon it will see the road again. Don't give up.

Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:40 am

Yes...don't give up! :D
The 411 and 412 were the largest and most modern of VW's aircooled cars....even really including and up to the later vans and vanagons.

Technically the 411 and 412 were actually simpler than the beetle. There are less parts in the front suspension and rear suspension on the 411 and 412. But because they are strut type...there are a few wearable parts.

The electrical system was fairly simple and straightforward on the 411/412. The heater system was a little complex but no more so than the gas furnace of a bug or bus.

These cars drove closer in feel and handling to the water cooled cars. Coming from an American car perspective I think you will enjoy the size comfort and handling the 411/412 has better than the other aircooled vehicles. But it still has all of the positive attributes that aircooled cars have...ie...no hoses, no radiators, no water pumps, no antifreeze and very rugged reliability if built carefully.
And...the type 4 has a better engine than the type 1 based vehicles.
Spend no moneey on your car right now. Just keep it from rusting and being vandalized and find something to drive while you research its condition and what you need to do. Ray

Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:14 pm

Thanks Ray. I found a GE engine at a very fair price, it will be a rebuild. I will post pictures when it gets here. I may need some advise or the correct fan housing with a hole??.
The great thing about this car is it was a high desert car serviced by Jim's German auto, very well maintained car as far as mechanical. one mechanic not three or four. The car is solid with dings and a very very small rust pinhole under the windshield. they did cut some engine wires though, maybe for fuel injection?? either way this car is staying right in the garage while I gather up some parts. I am not going to do anything as far as routine maintenance until I hear from the other guys with 412's. I am no stranger to turning a wrench, however the first car was a bug about 25 years ago. ever since then I have paying through the nose to drive older american V-8's. It's funny I have been riding airheads for twenty years, they were two wheels and two cylinders. I am currently getting around on a 1977 BMW R100S. either way I will be in the 412 forum learning and asking dumb questions.

Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:11 am

I passed on the engine. I am leaning toward getting rid of the 412 and replace it with a driver. I will have too much invested and will not have a car for months :cry:

Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:25 am

Now you are goin to face the next problem with these cars: You cannot get rid of it because nobody wants to buy it... :lol:

Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:33 am

Found a 1973 1700 Fuel injected engine. The engine is still in a 1973 Porsche in running driving condition. The guy is pulling the engine and dropping in a 2 liter. I will get the engine on the 13 or 14th this month!!! I am going to be rolling the 412 soon, JBW

Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:38 am

Now thats a good deal. Check it carefully. The 1.7L was just about the toughest longest running engine in the type 4 cars. It put out 80-82 hp stock with D-jet injection. Good deal! Ray

Wed Apr 06, 2011 9:54 am

Good! The pics in your ad show a VW worth polishing up and driving! 8)