Engine Letter Codes


This should help you decipher what sort of engine you have in your Volkswagen. The "Code" column shows the first character or two of the engine code, stamped on the case. I supplied data for Porsche 914 cases as well as VW 411/412 cases just in case your Bus has one of those engines in it (since they are easily interchangeable).


Volkswagen Type 1

Code:           Year:          Engine:
4               1960           1200
5               1961           1200
6               1962           1200
7               1963           1200
8               1964           1200
9               1965           1200
FO              1966           1300
HO/TO           1967           1500
H5              1968-1969      1500
B6              1970           1600 (dual relief, single-port)
AE              1971-1972      1600 (dual-port)
AH              1973-1974      1600 (8mm head studs w/ case savers)
AJ              1975-1979      1600 (fuel-injected)


Volkswagen Type 2

Code:           Year:          Engine:
Numerals        1961-1963      1200 (see Type 1 listings)
O               1964           1500 (no cam bearings)
H               1965           1500
HO              1966-1967      1500 (no crossmember holes)
B5              1968-1969      1600 (single relief)
AE              1971           1600 (with crossmember holes)
CB              1972-1973      1700 (dual carb, manual trans)
CD              1973           1700 (dual carb, auto trans)
AW              1973-1974      1800 (dual carb)
AW              1975           1800 (fuel-injected)
ED              1975           2000
GD              1976-1979      2000 ('79 has Vanagon heads)
GE              1979           2000 (California only, Vanagon heads)
CV              1980-1983      2000 (Vanagon -- unique case and heads)


Volkswagen Type 3

Code:           Year:          Engine:
O               1963-1965      1500 (no cam bearings)
TO              1966-1967      1500
UO              1968-1969      1600 (fuel-injected)
UO              1970           1600 (dual-relief)
U5              1971-1973      1600 (7.7:1 compression)
X               1972           1600 (7.3:1 compression)


Volkswagen Type 4

Code:           Year:          Engine:
W               1971           1700
EA              1972-1974      1700
EB              1973           1700 (California only)
EC              1974           1700


Porsche 914

Code:           Year:          Engine:
W               1970-1971      1700 (8.2:1 compression, D-Jetronic)
EA              1972-1973      1700 
EB              1973           1700 (7.3:1 compression)
EC              1974           1800 (CA-only, 7.3:1 comp, L-Jetronic)
AN                             1800 (8.6:1 comp, D-Jetronic)
GA              1973-1974      2000 (7.6:1 comp, 3 intake studs)
GB                             2000 (8.0:1 comp)
VO                             1700 (Euro-only, magnesium)
                               1800 (Euro-only, magnesium)
                               2000 (Euro-only, magnesium)


Replacement Cases
(Never supplied in new cars -- only sold over the counter.  All are 
dual-relief with 10mm oil passages).

Code:           Year:          Engine:
F1                             1300/1600
F2                             1300/1600
DO                             40-hp part if last digit is "X"
D1                             Sometimes a 40-hp part
AB              1966-1979      1600 
AD                             1600
AK              1967-1974      1500/1600
AM                             1600
AS                             Sometimes listed as Super Beetle orig. case
                               for '73-on.


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