Engine ID and production #'s

[jarmchairpilot]

When D is stamped Under the engine no. it simply means the 1200 engine was rebuilt at one time by an official approved VW engine builder.
Of course that doesn't tell you when that was done or
how many miles ago that was ,
also that doesn't mean somebody else hasnt rebuilt the engine since the time VW rebuilt it.

In a nutshell, it tells you very little for certain.
It's a simple , reliable engine in general but the crankshaft is prone to breakage if revved over 3,500 rpm. That may not show a sign of trouble but when it fails it will fail big time. That was a design fault imo.

This engine should be paired with the correct ratio gearbox that is different from one's for the larger engine sizes.
In general it is advised to have the exhaust valves replaced after 50,000 miles
and a complete engine rebuild after 100,000 miles of regular road use.
That's for a stock setup in mild climate conditions. In hot , dusty or cold conditions the engine will do much less miles before rebuild is required . A compression test every few years is a good idea .

[glutamodo]

Yes, 1300 models in 1966 were all F blocks. They did sell 1200 models, but not in the USA. Your engine is an earlier, April, 1965, 1200. Someone previous owner probably needed an engine and the 1200 was avaiable, so they threw it in there.

Had this been a European 1200 model from 12/65, it would have been from engine number D0 046362 to D0 050314 - with the D coming before the serial number, not under it as shown above.

Look at your intake manifold, I'll be the ends are the straight up 1200 style, not the angled SP style.

[guitarzan1975]

This is interesting. I just bought a '66 a couple of weeks ago with a D code below the serial number. (9543***) The body and chassis code are both the same. (116509***) which seems to date to December 1965. Could this possibly be an orginal motor for this car? I thought 66's had 1300 F code motors. What does everyone think?

[glutamodo]

D means it's a 1200 and that's about the size of it.

[65ruby]

So the letter really means nothing as far as we know, just part of the serial number?
Thanks Andy
Scott

[glutamodo]

Yes, I actually answered this question earlier in this thread. I'll quote myself:

[65ruby]

Just noticed that my 1200 has the letter "D" stamped BELOW the ID number.
What exactly does it mean?
It does NOT have the recycle sign next to it? It does have a VW stamp before the "D" tho? ../
My vin and engine #'s tell me it was produced in May 65.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Scott

[glutamodo]

Yeah, I'm sure it's a non-USA 1200 block, or at least it was originally built that way. I looked it up in my book, looks like that D1115608 engine was produced right at the end of the 1973 model year. That would have been July 1973.
-Andy

[123386]

I am new. And I have a question. Hopefully it isn’t really dumb.

I have a 63 with an engine marked D1115608.

I read this from a thread in the bettle section.

"Well, the D-series began in 1966. Actually, they started stamping them D in 1965, but at that time, the D was below the serial number as shown here (but continuing the old engine serial numbering series :

Then in 1966, they moved the D to in front of the serial number and started over with D0000001. This later type D-block was never offiicially imported to the US in production models. When you see them here, it's probably from engines imported later on from wrecked and decertified European cars stripped for parts in the 70s and 80s - I remeber seeing ads in the VW magazines, for dirt-cheap used 40HP engines in the 80s, when I first got into VWs. Then later on I found an old 1973 JC Whitney catalog that had rebuilt turn-key 40HP blocks listed in it." -glutamodo

Is it likely that my engine is the type of engine discribed by glutamodo?

Or maybe it's a rebuild from a 1955 Ghia?

Or maybe a rebuild from a 1955 bettle?

Any thoughts? Thanks alot.

Here is a photo of the engine.

[buggerrat]

Mine has the "P" also.
Glanced in my service manual for the oil relief location, but haven't gotten to the car to check it. I'll think I'll look today, and take her around the block a few times.

[glutamodo]

[buggerrat]

I've been told and read too many things. Oil passages 10mm on these?
I told a tech at a local shop what I have, he was impressed. He said the D block is great to build, which is why I want to leave it the way it is.
I don't know how to identify the dual relief. What am I looking for?
I've got 20 years with motorcycles so I understand mechanical, I think I said earlier in the thread I'm new to VW. I got this car 2 months ago and 4 more since. (Caught a fever)
I also want to say that this site is incredible. There is so much info and many helpful enthusiast that makes the endeavor to save a bug that much more enjoyable.
Thanks

[djkeev]

Hi,

according to a service bulletin issued 5/73 for the USA

Engines with the re-manufactured symbol(@ for illustration purposes), a letter, a number and ending with X thus>>>>>>>
@ H 123 456 X
This was a for a VW EXCHANGE ENGINE.
Before Oct 1968 the X was not stamped onto the block

From April of 72 SHORTBLOCKS were sold with the VW reman symbol followed by a letter.
There were no numbers, you were to stamp in the old engine number.


January 1968 VW notice says that

Crankcases with worn main bearing were bored out to a larger size. In addition a 0.5mm oversize crank pulley was installed on type 1 and 2 engines.
A "O" was stamped beneath the engine number to indicate this.

Crankcases with damaged mating surfaces or excessive camshaft play had the mating surfaces planed and the camshaft rebored, the crank rebored and the oil pump rebored
The left side of the case was planed 0.1mm
The right side was planed 0.3mm
a "P" was stamped beneath the engine number.

Still looking for any info on the "D" meaning dual oil relief.

found this...
D - 25 Kw 34 Hp 1192 cc 1 07/'78>00/'00 Mexico
D - 25 Kw 34 Hp 1192 cc 1 08/'65>07/'78

You have a "D" code engine? take a look, does it have dual oil pressure relief valves on it??

My understanding is (but no documentation that I possess) that once VW started boring dual relief valves they bored every engine they produced even the 1200's they rebuilt.

Anyone with more info or documentation on oil port bores and the "D" codes?


Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[buggerrat]

Thanks, I hadn't heard that before either.
I had read that engines marked with only a "D" were factory dual oil relief engines sold at dealerships. I can't find that page right now. Some one else here thought that also. Is that incorrect? Or were the engines sold by the dealerships rebuilt engines?

[djkeev]

[glutamodo]

Yeah, sometimes VW would eradicate the original number like that, other times they would stamp a 2nd number off to the side like on the engine in my 62....

[djkeev]

[buggerrat]

Here's the one I'm describing.

I guess my question is just one of curiosity and maybe not really helpful to anyone, but I think it's an interesting piece of trivia. We know how many cars were built each year, but not how many engines.
If anyone ever comes up with a count of how many were built and sold, that would be great. I've read that VW engines have been used for industrial purposes over the years also. I wonder if the replacement engines and utility engines sales were recorded in the same place.
Have a good one

[buggerrat]

Sorry, holidays and rain have slowed me down. I want to post tomorrow.
I also have a sweet old 58 cut baja that's been keeping me busy.
I'll see if I can't post those motor pics tomorrow .

[buggerrat]

Thanks Andy,
That's helpful. I'll take some pictures this weekend to post so everyone can see what this is. I'm going to check the studs tomorrow.
The D is not stamped low like in your pics.
I'm wondering if VW didn't just keep it a secret how many extra engines were built, hence the lack of #'s.
Happy Holidays Folks