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Fri Dec 05, 2025 7:56 pm

I am revisiting getting my Dad's 56 beetle going again. It's been 5 years since I touched it. I pulled the engine out five years ago but it was seized. I did finally get it disassembled, but I haven't inspected the case yet. I was originally going to stay mostly stock but I am moving away from that the more I think about it. I would like to be able to run with highway traffic. I think disc brakes would be nice, at least on the front. More power is probably a must. I have looked at building an Okrasa type setup. Which I think is a very cool, but it would probably be a $5-7,000 motor. I could get a 1776 or larger motor for the same money or less and make substantially more power. A freeway flyer transmission sounds like a nice upgrade but I have read it would require more HP too. At some point a complete pan replacement to a later model might make more sense. But then you would have to figure out what year...

Sat Dec 06, 2025 12:56 pm

A few things to note when putting a bigger engine in an oval. The engine compartment is smaller than the later 40hp and up models. It is a very tight fit. It can be done as many have so just be aware. I have only fitted a mostly stock 1600 single carb motor in an oval.

1. The front firewall shape is lower and stock heater boxes from fresh air heaters will not squeeze past when installing the engine with them mounted. Either do not run heater boxes, or install them after the block is in place.

2. The rear tin may have to be trimmed down along the curved seal area. I am not sure by how much but I am guessing 10mm or more to get the proper seal fit to the engine. Bigger engine cases are just longer to accommodate larger diameter cylinders.

3. The generator and pulley will be a tight squeeze past the apron when lifting the engine up at install. May have to take them off.

4. I think the engine compartment width is OK where the seals run along the valve cover area. Perhaps someone else can confirm. I had a 1600 in my '55 for a time and I recall no problem here. Perhaps this is only an issue on really big stroker motors.

5. The stock deck lid which I presume you have also by comparison fits closer to the engine that on later models. It may matter what type of air cleaner you select assuming a single carburetor. Duals are also a challenge in some cases. This factor may be due in part to the longer engine case too.

I hope this helps. Maybe others that have done this can offer more advice. Again of course it can be fitted but it will not be as plug and play as a stock 36hp.

Sat Dec 06, 2025 4:00 pm

Howdy Patcon,

I love that your dad bought your car new.

Dan is spot on. The following is from a story I wrote for a magazine article. I hope it helps:

"Next problem, engine revving too high at 100 kmh and gear box leaking from detent plug holes. Dean from Phillip Island organised a swap, my box for a taller 1500 box.
As I had not fitted the 1600 engine I was unaware that the 40 horse is physically larger than a 36 horse and a whole lot more difficult to remove from the Oval body. Took me about 20 times longer than an engine out ever had in the past but finally worked it out. The car being painted made the job more fiddly.
The transaxle wasn't too bad to remove. Swapped the nose cone, axles, tubes, boots, bearings and brakes and fitted the 1500 box. Fought to refit the engine and test drove, all good. Sits on 110 km/h just nice. (and I did not chip the paint)"

"The car is not period perfect. I know of VW people who insist on total originality right down to Teutonic air in the tyres and radios that only speak German. I'm not one of them. Having experienced 6V Beetles I wanted 12 volts. Also 1600 for half decent acceleration and a 1500 box for 110 km/h cruise for comfort and safety. Not keeping up in modern traffic is in my view dangerous. I favoured a stock engine for simplicity and reliability, a fresh air heater, front disc brakes and dual circuit master cylinder also for safety. I wanted to enjoy driving the car. A little low and dress wheels were just personal preference. I was mindful the car could be put back to stock if ever need be."

Regards,

Mark.

Sat Dec 06, 2025 6:08 pm

@dan22
Thanks for the reply. I have spent days reading through threads here on Samba and had seen that it's possible to put larger engines in the oval's bay but it was necessary to do a lot of the engine assembly once the long block was in the car...
All good points

@markendee
I like original cars but am not overly demanding about originality.
I agree with your comment about being able to reverse any changes. It's one of the reason I would consider using a later pan so the original pan can be set aside if I want to go back to it.
You listed several things that I was considering:
Fresh air boxes
12 volt (possible electronic ignition and blue tooth)
Being able to run with traffic. I agree being slow is a good way to get hurt on today's roads
Duel circuit master cylinder with discs up front.
I do like the wide 5 bolt pattern and wouldn't mind keeping it
I think the car will get used more if it has some updates...

Any recommendations on what year car would make for a good starting point if I swap to a later pan?