Need help w/ year of engine

[Corwin]

I can't figure this one out - anyone?

#AB 880 242

Thanks!

[dandhcomputers]

Replacement Cases

(Never supplied in new cars -- only sold over the counter. All are
dual-relief with 10mm oil passages).

Code: Year: Engine:
F1 1300/1600
F2 1300/1600
DO 40-hp part if last digit is "X"
D1 Sometimes a 40-hp part
AB 1966-1979 1600
AD 1600
AK 1967-1974 1500/1600
AM 1600
AS Sometimes listed as Super Beetle orig. case
for '73-on.

[Corwin]

I've heard that, but I have also seen it listed many places as a 1300cc dual port.

This is where I'm confused. to make it worse I don't know the history of the engine, and from what I am reading, if it's a 1300cc originally it could have been easily converted to a 15-1600 but I'd have to actually measure the cylinder to find out (ugh). To top it all off it has a dual-carb setup, so no clues there.

The reason I'm asking is because I can't get it running smoothly. I've adjusted the valves, replaced all the engine electrical, adjusted the timing, etc. The only thing left is either I have the wrong engine type (I'd assume 1300 is tuned differently than a 1600) or the carbs are jetted wrong. I'm going a little batty here.

[norcalmike]

DandH is right. that is just a replacement case.

here is all the engine codes

http://type2.com/bartnik/enginecodes.htm

[Corwin]

The problem is that there are plenty of sources with this table though too:

http://www.pre67vw.co.uk/production/engine_codes.aspx

[norcalmike]

that AB 1300 engine is european, because the date showing on your chart is 8/70-7/73. there were no 1300 engines in USA during those times.

it is more likely that your AB case is a replacement 1600 rather that a non US 1300.

but, who knows. stranger things have happened i guess. good luck.

of course it really doesnt matter. 1300 or 1600 your gonna tune the block the same.

its the distributor that determines timing specs

[Bookwus]

Hiya Corwin,

I took a look through Garwood's Car of the Century for you.

Garwood says that this engine was produced during the middle of the 1973 production year. In it's original configuration it was a 1300 developing 44 hp DIN (52 hp SAE). As has been explained to me (no confirmation here) the double letter prefix (AB) on your engine serial number indicates a dual port engine. Just for my own curiosity, do you, in fact, have a dual port?
Also for what it might be worth, on his engine listings Garwood makes notes (such as "US Only" or "Not Available in the US"), concerning market availability of the different engines. No such notes are listed for the AB series which would lead me to believe that the AB was available world wide, perhaps not as a new engine, but as a replacement.
As to your tuning problems, previous advice is spot-on. Tune that engine with respect to the current distributor. I might suggest that your rough running engine could well be traced to dual carbs out of synch or a vcuum leak. Have you checked out those possibilities?
_________________
Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck

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