Engine Code Reference

VW Type 1 Engine Codes

Upright air-cooled — Beetle, Bus (pre-72), Karmann Ghia, Type 3 / 181 Thing.

How to read the code

Look on the crankcase below the generator/alternator stand — the code is stamped as one or two letters followed by the engine serial number.
Pre-1965 cases carry only a serial number; identify by case casting marks and the M-plate in the luggage well.
Single-port and dual-port refers to the intake runners on the cylinder heads — easy to spot with the tin off.
Power figures are factory bhp/PS at the listed market — actual output depends on tune, carburettor and condition.

Code	cc	bhp	Years	Application	Notes
—	1131	25	1947–53	Beetle, Type 2 split	Serial only, no letter prefix
—	1192	30	1954–60	Beetle, Type 2	Serial only · 30 PS
—	1192	34	1961–65	Beetle 1200, Type 2	34 PS upgrade
D	1192	34	1965–66	Beetle 1200 A / 1200 export	First letter-prefixed code
F	1285	40	1966	Beetle 1300	First 1300 engine
H	1493	44	1967–70	Beetle 1500	Single-port heads, 12 V
L	1493	44	1967–70	Type 2 Bus 1500	Bus crankcase, fan-shaft drive
B	1584	50	1970–71	Beetle 1600 US	Single-port 1600, US emission spec
AB	1584	50	1970–73	Beetle, Karmann Ghia	Single-port 34 PICT-3
AD	1584	50–60	1971–73	Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Type 3	Dual-port heads, 34 PICT-3
AE	1584	50	1971–73	Type 2 Bus	Bus dual-port, doghouse cooler
AF	1584	46	1971–73	Beetle (low-comp Mexico)	Lower 7.3:1 CR
AH	1584	50	1973–74	Beetle / 181 Thing	Carb, 34 PICT-4
AK	1584	50	1973–74	Type 2 Bus carb	Last carb 1.6 Bus engine
AJ	1584	48	1975–79	Beetle US (FI)	Bosch L-Jetronic, catalysed
AR	1584	48	1975–79	Karmann Ghia / Beetle Cabriolet US	Bosch L-Jetronic
AS	1584	44–50	1980–92	Mexico Beetle	Carb, hydraulic lifters from 1992
ACD	1584	44	1993–03	Mexico Beetle FI	Digifant, hydraulic lifters
E	1493	45	1965–67	Type 3 1500 N (single carb)	Pancake fan
M	1493	54	1965–67	Type 3 1500 S (twin carb)	Twin Solex 32 PDSIT
T	1584	54	1968–73	Type 3 1600 (twin carb)	Twin Solex 32 PDSIT-2/3
U	1584	54	1968–73	Type 3 1600 E (D-Jetronic FI)	Bosch D-Jetronic

Sources: VW factory engine identification charts and Bentley / Haynes service manuals. Some prefixes (notably AS) were used for over a decade in Mexico and the spec evolved — always confirm against the engine serial range.

Power figures are factory-quoted SAE/DIN bhp at the listed market. Many codes were used across multiple model years and markets — always cross-reference the engine number, serial range and the M-plate before ordering parts.