Anybody have expirence with the VW 1,600cc flat-four?

KJ_WHEELER_2010 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 1:47 pm

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if anyone here had any expirence with the VW 1.600CC engine. About a month ago I picked up a sandrail and thats the engine its running. I have seen a few builds online with guys pumping out 300hp from these little machines. I was hoping someone on here had some pointers they could give me for rebuilding the engine. I'm buying the parts to build it for more power because I love mudding and hill climbing in this thing.

isomswim · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 5:36 pm

Sweet little toy. I always wanted to find a streetable one and tinker with it.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:23 pm

uummhh - keep the valves adjusted - they burn easy
make sure you have the fan and ventilation working well.
check the fan belt regularly
change/clean spark plugs a lot
(does it have points??? - have to gap them)
learn to adjust carburetors....(lean makes it run better....until the valves burn.....rich fouls the plugs....)

in the original beetle - you could put a floor jack under the engine - lift it up - put 2 jackstands under the unibody rails - pop 4 bolts - a cable and the heater vents and pull the engine in ~ 5 minutes......

KJ_WHEELER_2010 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:57 pm

From what I'm being told by everyone these engines take alotta tuning, however if you keep them tuned and in shape they can last forever. I plan on running this one stock for awhile then this winter re-building it. Trying for a little power out of it.

kskj · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 10:29 pm

I had a 66 Karman Ghia Type 34 with the 1600 with duel carbs. But that was back in 1974 so I'm not much help. I don't think it broke down once the whole year i had it. I do remember changing plugs often.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 4:57 pm

Ditch it and toss in a 230HP subaru engine.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:47 pm

Buy the book, "How to hot Rod VW Engines".
You might have to find a used copy.

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:03 pm

I've owned a lot of them. Get a copy of John Muir's book. Great reading as well as being a the first of the complete idiot manuals.

KJ_WHEELER_2010 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:16 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

Ditch it and toss in a 230HP subaru engine.

Wish I had the money for that :twisted:

I'll have to post up some action pictures of it. It has been down & out for a few weeks. Gonna get it out tomorrow and have a lil fun.

RedKJ04 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:38 pm

It's already been said but look for books on rebuilding/building up VW engines. Currently sitting in my garage is a 70 Bug with the Stock 1600cc Single Port that we rebuilt. If it had points I recommend switching over to electronic ignition. Did that on mine and I must say it runs so much better it is unbelievable. Keep the valves adjusted and the oil clean and it should give you years of service.
Here's my toy :twisted:

Hope you have a lot of fun with your new project/toy!

KJ_WHEELER_2010 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2012 9:15 pm

Wow, thats a clean looking Bug!! I changed the oil on it today. Gonna adjust the valves this weekend. I wish that thing had more power. Sounds mean as hell but has no power

but then of course I'm used to playin with V8s.

Anybody have expirence with the VW 1,600cc flat-four?

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