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Sat Jun 11, 2011 3:28 pm

Hello I am trying to get information on vw engines with the engine code starting with AM. My engine code is AM 013099. All I can figure out through searching the internet is that it is an aftermarket engine 1600cc produced for the type 181. I just wanted to know as much as possible about the engine, like where it was produced, when, horsepower and such. If anyone has any insight I would be much obliged :-)

Here is the engine!

and here is the engine code!

Sat Jun 11, 2011 3:35 pm

I understood that only the AM cases are original to things. They have the tapped bosses for the engine skid plates.

Sat Jun 11, 2011 3:43 pm

Ferretkona wrote: I understood that only the AM cases are original to things. They have the tapped bosses for the engine skid plates.

That's what I thought, too. My '73 has what I think is its original AM case.

Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:02 pm

:( Just love the gas filter directly over the dist so a spark can ignite any gas leak that may occur.

Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:11 pm

AM is a Thing engine

Sun Jun 12, 2011 11:20 am

From what i understand AM engines have a higher amount of Magnesium to sustain higher heat ranges for military applications.
Take a scraping from the engine and light it, you will see what i mean....
as Magnesium is quite flammable...
Hence AM Aluminum, Magnesium...

Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:28 pm

I don't believe the factory did anything to the metallurgy of the case when they used it with the 181. At least my case says it is AS41, which is the same as all dual relief cases until 1975 (when VW switched to the AS21 alloy). AM doesn't mean Aluminum Magnesium, but rather is just the letter combination that VW chose for one reason or another (next in the sequence perhaps). VW used magnesium in their cases since January of 1950 I believe. I recall that the switch was made to save weight and reduce machining costs. KDF and early split window engine cases were made of aluminum (but those are 25 horse engines).

The AM case is a 181 case for option code M157 US emissions (some websites list it as a generic replacement case, but I am not sure where they got that information). Other markets got other engine case letters such as H (early 181 with 1500cc engines), AG (sometimes listed as a low compression 1600 engine: 6.6:1 (AF is sometimes listed for this as well or instead of), otherwise listed as 7.5:1 or 7.3:1 compression), and AL (similar specs to AM, but with SVDA distributor and no EGR provisions, 7.3:1 compression). The engines were 44-50 DIN hp depending on compression ratio (44 for the 7.5:1 1500 engine and the low compression 6.6:1 or 6.8:1 1600 engines, 48 for the 7.3:1 engines, and 50 for the 7.5:1 compression 1600 engines - possibly 1971 only). The data isn't always clear and is sometimes conflicting (I am finding this in other areas as well the more I read factory repair information).

Really the only distinguishing feature of the 181 engine case would the mounting points for the rear skid plate (the same as the hanger brackets used in type 2 and type 3 vehicles), but without the oil filler hole near the base of the sump (type 3 vehicles had this and is common on universal type replacement cases). It is essentially the same as an upright type 2 case.

Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:34 pm

thesamba lists AM as a dealer replacement case- my thing had an AE 72 engine in it

Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:52 pm

Magnesium cools better than Aluminum.
AM may not mean aluminum magnesium but then again... it may.
Anyhow the information I got came from a reliable source as far as the extra content of magnesium in the case

Sun Jun 12, 2011 2:06 pm

I don't think this information is entirely correct, but I have a factory exchange catalog dated 11/1980 that lists the AM engine for the 181. I apologize about the formatting (not sure how to get it to display this list the way I want).

1. March 1973, 183 2348 525, AM 000 001
31. May 1973, 183 2883 925, AM 007 813
31. July 1973, 183 3021 910, AM 010 964
30. September 1973, 183 3025 058, AM 011 820
1. October 1973, 184 2000 001, AM 011 821
7. January 1974, 184 2219 789, AM 016 001
30. September 1974, 184 2818 498, AM 029 100
1. October 1974,

I don't believe the list is correct because my car's door jam sticker says it was manufactured 08/73, has chassis number 183 2943 xxx, and engine AM 007 757 (my case wasn't even cast until the third shift of the 29th of May in 1973). We've had previous discussions on engines and manufacture dates (discussing I.O. numbers, but regardless). Other engine manufacture dates have included: 05/73 AM 003 785 (thinghunter) and 08/73 AM 008 845 (505-73Thing).

Sun Jun 12, 2011 2:41 pm

SilverThing wrote:

I don't believe the list is correct because my car's door jam sticker says it was manufactured 08/73, has chassis number 183 2943 xxx, and engine AM 007 757 (my case wasn't even cast until the third shift of the 29th of May in 1973). We've had previous discussions on engines and manufacture dates (discussing I.O. numbers, but regardless). Other engine manufacture dates have included: 05/73 AM 003 785 (thinghunter) and 08/73 AM 008 845 (505-73Thing).

Wow, our cars are really close - mine is 183 2943 743 (same first 7 digits!) and my engine is AM 007691.

Sounds like that list is wrong.

Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:04 pm

///Mink wrote: SilverThing wrote:

I don't believe the list is correct because my car's door jam sticker says it was manufactured 08/73, has chassis number 183 2943 xxx, and engine AM 007 757 (my case wasn't even cast until the third shift of the 29th of May in 1973). We've had previous discussions on engines and manufacture dates (discussing I.O. numbers, but regardless). Other engine manufacture dates have included: 05/73 AM 003 785 (thinghunter) and 08/73 AM 008 845 (505-73Thing).

Wow, our cars are really close - mine is 183 2943 743 (same first 7 digits!) and my engine is AM 007691.

Sounds like that list is wrong.

WOW! Mine ends in 757! Only 14 different on the chassis and 66 on the engine! Too cool!

Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:25 am

So if my car has chasis number 183 3024 191 and my engine is AM 013099 I can assume it is the original engine and it was built in September 1973?

Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:20 am

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

Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:05 am

Miguelittle wrote: So if my car has chasis number 183 3024 191 and my engine is AM 013099 I can assume it is the original engine and it was built in September 1973?
You will notice that your chassis number falls before sept 30th 73, but your engine is somewhere in the 74 model year according to that chart. Does that mean your engine isn't original? Hard to say given the inaccuracy of the chart already mentioned. The only way really to know for sure is to get a birth certificate from wolfsburg. You can get a clue from the casting date of the engine, but that requires the engine to be out of the car with the flywheel off.

Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:55 pm

My chassis is in the 1833014 series, probably June, per the chart, and my engine is AM 004788, Apr. or May, per the chart.

I'm guessing I have the original engine and chassis in my car....though the body is made up of parts from three differently painted cars :lol:

BNMike

Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:59 pm

Just bought a '59 Single Cab last month that came with a single port engine stamped AM 0116044. Am I correct in thinking this is a 1600? From what year? I need the engine tin that goes from the engine to the trans. Looking at all the tin for sale in the classifieds, I'm not sure which type I need. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks, Eric

Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:19 pm

AM engine is orginal to the thing for both years imported. There is nothing special except for the "skid plate" fitting. They are always dual port and manafatured down south.

Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:33 pm

So if my AM stamped engine is single port does that just mean it has the wrong heads on it, or??? Sorry if that's a stupid question, I'm learning. :lol:

Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:17 pm

xeno wrote: AM engine is orginal to the thing for both years imported. There is nothing special except for the "skid plate" fitting. They are always dual port and manafatured down south.

I wouldn't be so sure about the manufactured down south part. My case is German for sure. I also have a vintage 'Pickup Van & 4WD' magazine (October 1973) with a review of the Thing that tries to blame the higher price of the vehicle (compared to a Beetle) on having the engines and transmissions manufactured in West Germany and shipped to Mexico to be used in assembling the Thing.