VW Beetle Engine Codes

From the start of production in 1945 to 1955 a 25HP engine was installed.  With a combination of a 64mm crankshaft and 4 x 75mm pistons it produced 1131cc.  It was fitted with a Solex 26 VFJ Carburettor in the centre of the engine.

25HP Engine in 1950 Beetle

From 1955 to 1960 the engine was upgraded to the 30HP.  This continued to use the same 64mm crankshaft but the pistons were increased in size to 77mm which increased the engine size to 1192cc.

In 1960 the VW 1200 was produced which included a new design in engine crankcase with a separate pedestal for the generator.  With this new crankcase came a new design in cylinder head and inlet manifold which now had fitted a new larger Solex 28 PICT-1 carburettor.  This new engine would produce 34HP.  There were a few changes in component design over the production years but the 1200cc engine would be fitted to the basic VW Beetle model right up until the end of the Beetles production.

1200 Engine in 1960 Beetle

In 1965 the VW 1300 was produced which included a Single Port 1285cc engine.  In order to increase the engine size the new 69mm stroke crankshaft was fitted which physically made the engine wider than the 1200 model.  This 69mm crankshaft would be used as the base of all air-cooled 1500cc and 1600cc engines.  With the increase in engine size again the engine would see a new carburettor fitted.  The Solex 30 PICT-1.

1300cc Engine in 1968 Beetle

From August 1970 the 1300cc engine had an upgrade and was fitted with Twin Port heads.  With the upgrade the oil cooler, cooling fan and engine tinware were changed to allow more airflow over the engine and through the oil cooler.  The carburettor was also upgraded to a 34 PICT 3.  The difference in this carburettor over the earlier models was that it was installed with an angled pilot jet position.

1600 Twin Port Engine in 1955 Beetle

In August 1966, a year after the launch of the VW 1300, VW started producing the VW 1500.  This Beetle was fitted with the 44HP 1500cc Single Port engine that was fitted into the Splitscreen Bus.  With the same 69mm crankshaft the pistons were increased in size to 83mm.  With this new format the Beetles top speed rose to around 130KPH with a 0-100KPH of around 22 seconds.  This was around 10 seconds faster than the VW 1200.

In 1970 the VW 1302S was produced which as standard had a brand new 50HP 1600cc twin port engine.  Utilizing the same 69mm crankshaft this new engine was fitted with 85.5mm pistons.

Custom Engine in 1971 Beetle

VW Beetle Engine Codes