IDing a pre A 2pc case.

[AirCooledClassics]

How do I I.D and pre-a 2pc case.I was given one by a friend getting rid of all his 356 stuff and he claimed this case was really early 356.It looks 36hp vw to me but theres some differences in the sump area and uses trapped trough bolts instead of studs.The case also appears to be clearanced and very proffesionally.
_________________
2010 Bonneville record holder Type 2, 36hp
NHRA Divisional Sports Compact Champion
My You-tube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJoq3MtsPmc

My National Dragster article
http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=231552

[EverettB]

I'm not an expert but I had this case and the P serial number and the tapped oil return were unique to the pre-A case

This case had studs for the oil drain plate.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[janerick3]

According to Harry Pellow's book, Secrets of the Inner Circle, this case is for an early 1954, Type 546 1500 Normal engine.
_________________
Thanks,
Jan K.

[Steve Heinrichs]

I will try to figure out the chassis number tomorrow.

Steve Heinrichs

[Steve Heinrichs]

32760 went into chassis 60473 which finished production 8 March 1954.

Steve Heinrichs

[EverettB]

Thanks for the info.

To be clear - that was a case I used to own, not the case the original poster is asking about.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[roy mawbey]

Everett is correct you need the crankcase number. The very early plain bearing engines like the 1100cc and 1300cc had a range of numbers. My brothers 51 1300cc had engine P 20620 and our 1952 1500 cc had P30988.

The very early 1950 1100cc cars had engine numbers between 0101 - 0411 according to the listing I have.

As far as I am aware? the 2 piece crankcase ran up to late 1954.

Roy
_________________
Roy
RHD356A super75 106954

[Braukuche]

[fcampbell356]

You just never know what will turn up. I have a pre-A Porsche look-a-like
engine I got out of a junk yard, that was said to be a 36 HP VW engine. So I bought it and tore it down, (kinda funky carbs -2) to be a VW.
Found a 74mm crank, early 356 rods, alloy cylinders(80mm) & pistons
with 356 heads and the older cast iron rocker assembly.

Here is the question, did someone build this engine with older 356 parts using a VW case. The engine number is 1 315 696 which puts it some where at Dec. 1951 and Oct. 1952. All indications seem to think this might a replacement engine, or rebuild for a early 356.

I intend to rebuild it when I get the time. Would post some pics, but I
to dumb.

Thanks
Frank

[EverettB]

[fcampbell356]

Yes, rechecked engine number and that is where it fits. Starts Dec. 1955
thru Dec. 1956. Hope that some pics will show up.
Frank

[Unobtanium-inc]

Here are some pics of Frank's motor

[fcampbell356]

Thanks to Adam Wright for posting pics. Gotta learn how to do it.

Frank

[savaden]

That looks like a lot of potential woof for that scrawny little bottom end.

SV

[gimmesomeshelter]

OT Alert!

Did the early 2-piece engine have any particular weaknesses? The only reference I've ever seen to them was in a book written by Duane Spencer. He opined that they handle much HP, but he didn't reference any specific problems.

Cheers,

Paul
_________________
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned."

Richard Feynman

[Tortie]

Hard to tell from pictures, but those heads look like they've had "work" done on them. Intake ports look a little funny. Most harry homeowner type intake mods are not very good,...done by seat of pants thinking and often result in diminised velocity and efficiency. The rods look like the later (better) ones. Definitely a mixed bag of things.
_________________
Steve Harrison

[fcampbell356]

Steve,
Yes, the heads have been worked on. One head is a Normal 1500 and the other is a Super 1500S. They will get a professional match porting to the
intake manifolds later.

Frank

[Tortie]

Normal and Super heads are all the same from the factory. More individual owners took it upon themselves to alter the heads on their Super so more of the heads on Supers are modified. So when people find a Super motor and look at the heads, the instinct is to believe the heads are factory different. They're not. Factory only had one type of heads for normals and supers.

Supers were achieved with a cam change (and in some cases, different lifters), increased compression, and bigger carbs, That's it.

Port matching to the manifolds, (and gaskets) is a good practice but I'd stay away from enlarging the ports further down in their travel toward the valves. Increased size there decreases velocity in most cases. You've made a great find there with those parts and are well on your way to getting an engine together. You didn't happen to get the rear engine tin did you? The one without carb heat holes? That's the hardest piece of tin to find,...unless you count the "lap seam" fan housing. Forget that,...it's unobtanium. Speaking of Adam,...if you want to go with the Super carb seat up,..the 40MM solex and special steel manifolds,..I have it on good authority that he's got a set, and they may be for sale.
_________________
Steve Harrison

[jjjjack]

....and roller crank....
_________________
Jack Stenner
1959 Mango Westfalia SO-23
1953 Porsche 356 Coupe
IG:j.stenner

[Tortie]

Ah yes,..the old roller crank. Forgot that one!

Guess because they're all just about out of service now.
_________________
Steve Harrison