Enigne Number doesn't make sense

[TimeMan]

Hi Guys

Can anyone help me out ? I have been searching to try and find more info on my wife's beetle . The engine number is SFH 0982959 but the SFH doesn't make sense . Any idea what year and type it is ?

[Dawie]

+- July 1967 1500. SF is prefix for "made in Uitenhage, S.A."

[TimeMan]

Many tnx dawie . Just learned something new today about the SF prefix , never knew that . Thank you .

[Variant]

From the Production Survey in Aug '71 edition of the VW Type 1 parts list:

Dec '67 - Eng No H 0 915 221
Jul '68 - Eng N0 H 1 003 255

H = 1.5 litre, 44 b.h.p
SF = Made in RSA. I have the same two letters stamped into the engine in my Notchback and have seen this on many other original VW engines.

[Dawie]

Adriaan is indeed correct. The book where i looked that up previously has some confusing data.

To narrow it down further:
April '68: H 0 975 666
May "68: H 0 989 799
(Source: The Samba).
But then we are not sure how closely Uitenhage followed German markings. Adriaan mentioned before that parts were shipped from Germany to Uitenhage in containers, so obviously there was a delay.

[TimeMan]

Shame then this beetle has a serious identity crisis 1600 75 body , 15000 block 1600 pistons , sleeves and no wonder it had a 30/31 solex on it . Well changing that now to a brand new 36 solex . Hmm hope it is not gonna be a problem tho . I am a total noob in this new hobby my wife got , but enjoying working on it never the less .

[fig]

But then we are not sure how closely Uitenhage followed German markings. Adriaan mentioned before that parts were shipped from Germany to Uitenhage in containers, so obviously there was a delay.

As far as I can tell, Uitenhage followed the German chassis and engine numbers very closely. As has been pointed out, the only difference is the addition of the SF prefix on locally assembled engines. It would appear that CKD kits destined for Uitenhage were assembled six to eight weeks after shipping from Germany.

[Variant]

Let us have the chassis number. I'll see what I can dig up.

[D Holroyd]

Hi guys,

Can anyone shed some light on the engine and VIN numbers for this Bay window that I am looking into buying?

Engine Number SFTR042595 - engine size?
VIN 218034183 - 1968 ?

Any assistance will be most welcome

Thanks

[fig]

Hi guys,

Can anyone shed some light on the engine and VIN numbers for this Bay window that I am looking into buying?

Engine Number SFTR042595 - engine size?
VIN 218034183 - 1968 ?

Any assistance will be most welcome

Thanks

The VIN belongs to a 68 panelvan (8/67-7/68).

The engine is a replacement case, probably a Mexican or Brazilian universal case. It's most likely a 1600, but could be anything. You'll have to open it up and measure bore and stroke to be sure.

[D Holroyd]

Thanks for the help Fig

[RAHHAR]

Hi Guys
Im impressed with how you guys find all this info. i have a engine number SF AS350406. Only dates i can find online are vague; 73-80 ish type 1 or type 2. Hopefully someone can shed light on my engine please
Regards
Richard

[calooker]

Any engine number with a R in it was a factory remanufacured engine at some time in it's life.
Many times the original engine number would be ground off and a new number ie: SFBR2560 or the like re-stamped.

[fig]

Any engine number with a R in it was a factory remanufacured engine at some time in it's life.
Many times the original engine number would be ground off and a new number ie: SFBR2560 or the like re-stamped.

Actually R stands for Replacement case, where an existing number is stamped on a new, replacement case.

[Dawie]

There is an exception:

"SF AR" or code AR, means late 70's 1300 dual port engine or gearbox. Same years the 1600 had code SFAS. This info may not be found on data sheets at some US forums, as the late 1300's were never sold there. The gearbox did not have a serial number, think on late models, in addition to code (AS or AR), referring to ratio, there was a number referring to the year and month it was made.