Volkswagen air-cooled engine type 1

Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Production	1936–2006
Combustion chamber
Configuration	Flat-4 naturally aspirated petrol engine
Cylinder block alloy	Aluminum / magnesium alloy
Cylinder head alloy	Aluminum / magnesium alloy
Valvetrain	Pushrod OHV
Combustion
Fuel system	Mechanical / Carbeurated
Fuel type	Petrol
Oil system	Wet sump
Cooling system	Air-cooled

 

The Volkswagen air-cooled engine is an air-cooled boxer engine with four horizontally opposed cast iron cylinders, cast aluminum alloy cylinder heads and pistons, magnesium crankcase, and forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods.

Variations of the engine were produced by Volkswagen plants worldwide from 1936 until 2006 for use in Volkswagen's own vehicles, notably the Type 1 (Beetle), Type 2 (bus, transporter), Type 3, and Type 4. Additionally, the engines were widely used in industrial, light aircraft and kit car applications.

Type 1: 1.1 to 1.6 litres

Like the Volkswagen Beetle, the first Volkswagen Transporters (bus) used the Volkswagen air-cooled engine, a 1.1 litre, DIN-rated 18 kW (24 PS, 24 bhp), air-cooled four-cylinder "boxer" engine mounted in the rear. The 22 kilowatt (29 PS; 29 bhp) version became standard in 1955, while an unusual early version of the engine which developed 25 kilowatts (34 PS; 34 bhp) debuted exclusively on the Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) in 1959. Any examples that retain that early engine today are true survivors - since the 1959 engine was totally discontinued at the outset, no parts were ever made available.

The second-generation Transporter, the Volkswagen Type 2 (T2) employed a slightly larger version of the engine with 1.6 litres and 35 kilowatts (48 PS; 47 bhp).

A "T2b" Type 2 was introduced by way of gradual change over three years. The 1971 Type 2 featured a new, 1.6-litre engine, now with dual intake ports on each cylinder head, and was DIN-rated at 37 kilowatts (50 PS; 50 bhp).

The Volkswagen Type 3 (saloon/sedan, notch-back, fastback) was initially equipped with a 1.5-litre engine, displacing 1,493 cubic centimetres (91.1 cu in), based on the air-cooled flat-4 found in the Type 1. While the long block remained the same as the Type 1, the engine cooling was redesigned reducing the height of the engine profile, allowing greater cargo volume, and earning the nicknames of "Pancake" or "Suitcase" engine. This engine's displacement would later increase to 1.6 litres.

Originally a single- or dual-carburetor 1.5-litre engine (1500N, 33 kilowatts (45 PS; 44 bhp) or 1500S, 40 kilowatts (54 PS; 54 bhp)), the Type 3 engine received a larger displacement (1.6 litre) and modified in 1968 to include Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection as an option, making it the first mass production consumer cars with such a feature (some sports/luxury cars with limited production runs previously had fuel injection).

 Volkswagen 1100 engine

Production 1945–1953

Displacement 1,131 cc (69.0 cu in)

Cylinder bore 75 mm (2.95 in)

Power output 18 kW (24 PS; 24 bhp) @ 3,300 rpm, 22 kW (30 PS; 30 bhp)

Used in

1945–1953 Volkswagen Beetle

1950–1953 Volkswagen Type 2

The 30 kilowatts (40 hp) 1.2-litre can be modified by the addition of a big bore kit, which allows bigger cylinders and pistons from the stock 77 millimetres (3.03 in) to 83 millimetres (3.27 in) while keeping the stock crankshaft, cam, head, etc. and providing to a 25% power output increase.

1285cc Single port 1966-1970 Twin port 1971-1975

Volkswagen 1500 engine

Production 1961–1971

Displacement 1,493 cc (91.1 cu in)

Cylinder bore 83 mm (3.27 in)

Piston stroke 69 mm (2.72 in)

Power output 1500N: 33 kW (45 PS; 44 bhp), 1500S: 40 kW (54 PS; 54 bhp)

Used in

1493cc Single port only. 1967–1970 in Euro/US Beetle.

1967–1971 VW Puma

Volkswagen 1600 engine

Displacement 1584cc

Cylinder bore 85.5mm

Power output single port: 35 kW (48 PS; 47 bhp) dual port: 37 kW (50 PS; 50 bhp)

The 1600 single port was used on the following models:

1966–1970 Type 3

1968–1970 Type 2

1970 Beetle (US only)

1970 Karmann Ghia (US only)

Twin port

The 1600 dual port was used on the following models:

1971 onwards Type 2 (only 1971 in USA - superseded by Type 4 engine)

1971–1979 Beetle

1971–1974 Karmann Ghia

1971–1989 VW Puma

uprated Volkswagen air cooled engine with twin carbs