Engine Identification 71 Bus

[Cyclebus]

On my 71 Bus, I know the motor had been replaced. The information I received from the prior owner, which wasn't much other than a note stating it was a 1641, is it. I do not believe so now based on the number, but my Bus has the ID of H5569324. Looking at the charts, it shows a 1500CC at 53HP. Question is, is this just a 1500CC out of a late 60's Beetle in my Bus? Also, can these be rebuilt to a 1641?

Thanks,

[lil-jinx]

the engine serial number will tell you what the engine started out as,a 1641 can be built from a 1600 or a 1500,if you really want to know the size,you will likely need to pull the heads and do some measuring.
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy sold dec 2024

1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[Kudagra]

H5 should be a bus engine. H6 was T1. Im guessing it has the bosses for the rear mount.

The H cases are super soft. I might burn one to get a tan (I dont tan. I red)but Id never use it for a engine.

Most factory german cases are 50+ years old (Yours is). Save yourself time and money just buying a new case. Its the foundation of your engine. Dont skimp.
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Everything burns if you get it hot enough.

[Cyclebus]

Thanks for the info, but as I keep looking at this, I came across the following on The Samba:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/engine_code_letters.php

It is showing my engine is a type 181 (Thing) at an original 44BHP (53HP) with an original install date of 08.70-02.71.

[richparker]

Ok, this is very common. Your engine was most likely a 1600. Then someone either tore it down and rebuilt it into a 1641 or tore it down to a short block and added the 87mm slip in pistons and made it a 1641. This was commonly known as a “Big Bore” kit and was done all the time as the 87mm cylinders slid into the stock case without any machining. Some people still do it as the kits are readily available. Vws are old and to find one that hasn’t been messed with is hard.
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’71 Double Cab

[Kudagra]

H5 was also used in 68-69 Ghias
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Everything burns if you get it hot enough.