1969 VW Engine

[Carolastn]

I recently received a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. However, I know nothing about this car. The engine size is what I'm interested in finding out for now. I can't buy any parts for it since I don't know what it could be. If anyone could clue me in to what sizes of engines there are of these "Bugs" or maybe where I could find info on it, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

[boschmann]

The engine will be a 1600cc. The only other thing you might need to know is if it is a dual or single port engine. It should have a single port head design, but the cars were often updated to the dual port head design. To tell which you have look at the intake manifold where it meets the cylinder heads. If the manifold is a one piece pipe all the way to each head it is single port. If the manifold is three pieces with the cast aluminum twin pipe ends at each head it is dual port.

[bigbartman]

I have a 69 beatle but I has a 1500 in it. You will be best off to check the engine code located on the generator stand. You should also purchase a book by John Muir.(I think) How to keep your volkswagen alive. I has great ref. and is a colorful read

[boschmann]

Most all the 1500's have been rebuilt by now. It is nearly impossible to find the 1500cc piston sets (they haven't been available for years) so they get rebuilt as 1600cc engines.

[BoatCop]

The only way to tell if it's the original 1500 or has been updated to a 1600 or more is to pull the heads and measure the cylinder size.

83mm = 1500
85.5mm = 1600
87mm = 1641
90.5mm = 1776

Engines can be sized anywhere from the early 25 HP 1100cc up to monster 2800cc. And probably higher.

The engine code beneath the generator stand will tell you what the engine originally was, but after that it's anyone's guess.