What T-1 engine -1948 to end, is most reliable & last longest

[nextgen]

As much as all of us have done modifications to our bugs, we have to remind ourselves of the simplicity of the stock engines.

I believe the bugs weight has stayed the same, so I guess the tranny also has a lot to do with it. But still pushing the same weight.

Single tiny carb, 1200 cc, cases that are one piece with the generator etc.

Did they last longer before needing a valve job ?
_________________
email: [email protected]
The TYPE IV UPRIGHT CONVERSION MANUAL
BEETLE MAGNETIC DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
LETS TALK DUBS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+cali+ghia https://letstalkdubs.libsyn.com/ep-200-joe-cali-ty...qI3xJTCzjs

[Ohio Tom]

No, The cooling system was designed for 1200cc's . they overheated just like any VW motor can and need valve jobs.
The tendency for 3/4 head to run hot was the killer of many motors. Even Porsche 356's suffered from the same problems.

One common failure I have seen several times: Folks don't want to run the breather to the air filter because it fouls up the carb. Instead they vent it inside the engine compartment. The cooling fan sucks up the oil mist. The oil (and dust) coat the oil cooler eventually blocking flow completely to the 3/4 head. The motor goes down hill fast after that.


The single best advancement was the dog-house oil cooler that put cooler air to the 3/4head.
Dog-house cooler is well known to lower the head temp on that side.
Sadly, VW also upped the hp rating, so you can just as easily drive it to overheat like a 1200.

The best stock combo I have seen is a 1600cc single port (to limit HP) with a dog-house shroud.
I ran one for many years and sold it. STill running as far as I know.

[nextgen]

I had a 68 and I agree to its longevity, but know little about the it's predecessors.
_________________
email: [email protected]
The TYPE IV UPRIGHT CONVERSION MANUAL
BEETLE MAGNETIC DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
LETS TALK DUBS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+cali+ghia https://letstalkdubs.libsyn.com/ep-200-joe-cali-ty...qI3xJTCzjs

[c77owen]

[chrisflstf]

This is the " what does it take to go 200K" motor, version 2, lol

[Erik G]

1500SP for sure

[evanfrucht]

The 1972 engine maybe? Right after they worked out most of the kinks from going to dual port with wide fan and dog house the year before. After that I feel like the engines slowly started to get worse because of all the extra smog and emissions control garbage they had to deal with last minute.

I wouldn't know I've only drove a '67, it lasted long but would run hot if I pushed it too hard... and that was very easy to do. The head studs pulled out the original case shortly after a head swap that was performed around 180K miles.

[FarmerBill]

[nextgen]

Like I aid I have not idea about what came before my 68.

VW had 70 till they got to 68
_________________
email: [email protected]
The TYPE IV UPRIGHT CONVERSION MANUAL
BEETLE MAGNETIC DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
LETS TALK DUBS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+cali+ghia https://letstalkdubs.libsyn.com/ep-200-joe-cali-ty...qI3xJTCzjs

[EVfun]

Dead stock in a full body Bug? I'd go with the 36 horse for long life. I never killed one and that was my first car! (and a few others over the years) I think they just made so little power that they didn't get cooked to death even run wide open throttle down the freeway for hours at a time. 40 horse engines seem to have glass cylinder heads; there was a reason for the '65 update. The 1500 SP is a good engine too. It might be the strongest if it was a current rebuild around a new dual relief case and doghouse cooling system. Hey wait -- that's what I bought for my Buggy. See, even at 1100 lb. I think the 36 horse would be too slow.
_________________

[nextgen]

EVfun that was the engine I was thinking about.

My thoughts and no evidence, but I thought in 194848 the first 2 bugs got into the U.S. ( I am sure there were a hell of alot more in Europe) and the aircooled engine was no longer an experiment after it was used in the War.

That engine had to be kick ass strong to take the harsh treatment and in so many variations including amphibious.

Made to run all day pedal to the metal on the Autobahn.

But no stories how long they lasted. The guys at EMPI NY Bronx got me into bugs after explaining how they were restricted and it was easy toget more hp with just some simple changes.
_________________
email: [email protected]
The TYPE IV UPRIGHT CONVERSION MANUAL
BEETLE MAGNETIC DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
LETS TALK DUBS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+cali+ghia https://letstalkdubs.libsyn.com/ep-200-joe-cali-ty...qI3xJTCzjs

[b-man]

1966 US spec 1300.

High revving cool running little powerhouse.
_________________
1956 Dove Blue Panel
1966 Velvet Green Single Cab
1957 L41 Black Oval Window Beetle

[nextgen]

B Man that sounds logical. Bugs were selling like crazy and they needed show they were increasing power.

The 67 came after that with the 1500 and in 70 came the 1600. When they hit 1600 ( hippie time period ) my friend that had a Porsche 356 called me up and said "VW just entered Porsche Ville"
_________________
email: [email protected]
The TYPE IV UPRIGHT CONVERSION MANUAL
BEETLE MAGNETIC DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
LETS TALK DUBS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+cali+ghia https://letstalkdubs.libsyn.com/ep-200-joe-cali-ty...qI3xJTCzjs

[txoval]

The early 25hp engines had aluminum cases, but the heads were weak.

Even the earlier 36hp heads were weak and refined over the years. You can see the differences in the web design between the intake and exhaust ports. So a late 36hp engine would be best

[FarmerBill]

Are we counting the later Mexican/Brazilian type 1 engines or just the German built? I don't know much about the south of the border engines, but it seems like Volkswagen would have continued to "refine" them for better or worse over the years. Maybe the 1988 fuel injected Mexican 1600 is the champ? Who knows?

[Wreck]

[FarmerBill]

Fun fact: The beetle was imported from Mexico to Europe, including Germany from just after the end of production in Germany until sometime in the mid 1980s. Also I was wrong about fuel injection in the Mexican beetle, they didn't get it until 1993.
I have a feeling not to many beetles escaped Mexico in one piece. They have a real "use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without" ethos down there. I would guess you would have to talk to someone who was there and drove them to find out how they held up to hard use.

[earthquake]

Would adding a counter weighted crank make a stocker run any longer?

eQ
_________________
74 CLASS 11 LOOK-A-LIKE
69 DUNE BUGGY
79 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II
05 SCION XB SERIES RELEASE 2[#437]
95 Chevy C3500 dually
98 Ford E150
Link to Kelly J. Nolte 3/20/53 - 11/6/08
https://time-zonelabs.blogspot.com/p/about-kelly.html
DEATH TO CHINGERS!
[From a military recruitment poster in the novel "The Stainless Steel Rat" By Harry Harrison]

[Igpoe]

[oprn]

For a 100% stock engine the '66 1300 wins it hands down.

The reason everyone is saying 1500 is because they never owned a 1300! Come on guys admit it, I'm correct am I not?

Also the shortest lived stock VW engine was the early 1500 found in the Bus and type 3s. It was just a factory hop up of the old 1200. Avoid those like the plague!

Starting at '71 the engines even with the new doghouse cooler were starting to suffer early demise from emissions regulations. My '71 Super Beetle needed the valves done already at 40K miles.
_________________
We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)