TheSamba.com :: View topic - Another engine code question

Mon Oct 19, 2020 7:32 am

Hi - first post, so, you know, please be gentle.

I have a new-to-me 65 Panel/EZ Camper conversion. Wanted to do some engine research...looked through https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/engine_letters.php but could not find a "B," which is what is stamped on mine next to the VW stamp.

Did I just miss it somewhere, or is this an oddity? I'm the 4th owner of the bus - engine was apparently last rebuilt 10,000 miles or so ago.

Mon Oct 19, 2020 7:43 am

For those interested in the details - the m-code and ID plates indicate:

CH# 215067919
1965 Model Year Type 2, Panel van, cargo doors right, LHD
080 - split front seats
Built late '64, camper conversion in '65 (from EZ-Camper plate)
Port of LA delivery

Mon Oct 19, 2020 7:57 am

B prefix is a 68-70 motor .1600cc .your motor is not original to your 65. the engine case anyway. I do not see a serial # ? probably a replacement case. it is rare for any vw to have the original motor . especially busses . hippies where not known to take care of there cars. :lol:

Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:01 am

Type 2
B0 1968-1970 1600cc non-USA
B5 1968-1969 1600cc single relief USA only
B5 1970- 1600cc dual relief USA only

Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:13 am

Thanks for the quick response! I figured it was not original- that was the reason for my research...also, it has a bit more "go" than I expected based on other buses I've been in and so thought it might be a 1.6. Still has a terminal velocity of roughly 63 MPH and would much prefer 53 MPH.

Drove it 500 miles from St. Louis to Minnesota this weekend - generated a lot of smiles along the way and also A LOT of passing.

Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:19 am

the only thing a case code tells you was what it was when first made, it may very well be a 1835 or other configuration now. it runs enjoy

Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:27 am

Having seen that little vw stamp on a case before I'll add this: That stamp is was normally used for engines that were rebuilt by a vw approved/certified shop and/or dealer. Guessing that it may have been rebuilt around the era of the "B" cases so they also stamped the "B" on it, but being a new case it has no serial number. :-k

Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:37 am

Thanks for all the responses - agree, pyrOman, given that the camper was very well cared for, I expect the 1st owner (who owned it for ~ 27 years) had it through a VW approved shop for the re-build in the "B" era, resulting in the circled VW stamp, a B, and no serial number.

And yes...it runs well, that's the happy part. :D . The research is just for curiosity sake and for reference when it inevitably needs to be torn into for service.

Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:19 am

Exchange engines
These engines are normally marked with a VW recycle symbol and an X at the end.

Information from a 5/73 USA service bulletin issued 5/73:
Engines with the re-manufactured symbol, a letter, a number and ending with X, indicates a VW Exchange engine.
Before Oct., 1968 the X was not stamped onto the block.

From April of 1972 Shortblocks were sold with the VW remanufacture symbol followed by a letter. No numbers were used, you were to stamp in the old engine number.

Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:41 am

It could well be, that it was a new motor and not a refurbished. A refurbished motor would have had its old number ground off before the refurbish symbol and the engine code were stamped.

I remember when I was living in CA back in the mid 80ies a lot of used motors were shipped to the US from wrecked or rusted out VWs in Europe. It could well be, that this one of them.

Mon Oct 19, 2020 10:56 am

Interesting thought mdege. The last engine refurb/rebuild/replace was apparently actually done in the 80s in Las Vegas (of 2 alleged rebuilds/replacements in the life of the bus) so that would line up. That was sadly only about 10,000 miles ago. With my 500 mile trip this weekend, I almost doubled the average annual miles over the last 30+ years. Current mileage 188,000, at least assuming that odometer has only turned once and hasn't been reset :wink:

I'd love to track down the shop that did the work, but that is probably a long shot at best. Anyone know of a long-standing VW specialist in Vegas?

Mon Oct 19, 2020 11:16 am

when I lived there Las Vegas, there was Sunland motors and Calvada volkswagen they changed there name to Prestige Motors .I worked at both dealers, but that was in the late seventy, also Warrens beetle barn a private shop