Question about identifying VW engine

Hi, I'm ebaying a 1989 VW Transporter Westfalia type camper (originally from Germany) with a turbo diesel engine. How do I identify the exact type of engine it has? Serial number? I think it is a 1.6 and bidders are asking for the type to make sure that it complies with their state laws. I've found some number on the head, it's 068

1633 73T, is the 1633 the engine size and does the T designate turbo? It definitely has a turbo. If anyone knows which engine this is could you please tell me if it is allowed in the US and if any other VWs in the US have had this engine?

Thank you! cp

Reply to
cp
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Most likely it is a 1.6 turbo diesel because VW fitted the Transporters of that era with diesels from the Golf/Jetta lineup and those were 1.6 diesels and turbo diesels at the time.

Vanagons did have diesel engines in the US in the early 1980s (1982 and 1983 I think but I'm not sure if we had a turbo on it at the time (somehow I don't think so)).

However, I would not bother with this vehicle unless you absolutely must have it. You not only have to deal with the engine (although an 80s diesel should be less of a problem than gas engines of the time since diesels back then were usually exempt from emissions testing), but you will also need to retrofit all other items into the vehicle to make it compliant with US regulations. See

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as a good starting point. It's really a pain in the butt and possibly an expensive proposition. Cars older than 25 years can be brought in w/o modifications but anything younger than that must go through the federalization process. Also some insurance companies get kinda weird about insuring a vehicle that was not built to US specifications to begin with (somehow they can usually tell by the VIN).

Reply to
Matt B.

hmmmmmm that gives a lot of food for thought. Thank you!

cp

Germany) with a turbo diesel engine. How do I

and bidders are asking for the type to make sure

it's 068 1633 73T, is the 1633 the engine size and

engine this is could you please tell me if it is

that era with diesels from the Golf/Jetta lineup and

think but I'm not sure if we had a turbo on it at

it. You not only have to deal with the engine

time since diesels back then were usually exempt from

the vehicle to make it compliant with US regulations.

was not built to US specifications to begin with

Reply to
cp

no prob. that's not to say it's impossible...and maybe a truck might be a little easier (they weren't under all the same regulations that passenger cars were such as passive restraints, side impact beams, etc.), but it definitely is something to make sure you consider before buying. Maybe contact a few of those registered importers and see if they can guesstimate what's involved with a Transporter (tell them it's the same basic vehicle as a Vanagon). Also see what your insurance company has to say (if they'll have issue with it or not).

Reply to
Matt B.

Germany) with a turbo diesel engine. How do I identify

bidders are asking for the type to make sure that it

1633 73T, is the 1633 the engine size and does the T

is could you please tell me if it is allowed in the US

The engine has a capacity of 1588 cm3. The number on the head is the part number of the head. The engines were modified versions of the diesel engines found in the other VW models of that era. To my knowledge they all had oil jets under the pistons for extra cooling, but the turbodiesel engines had them anyway. The T3 based vans with the 51kW turbodiesel engine (70bhp) will probably have the JX engine.

Remco

Reply to
Remco Meeder

I'm looking for an engine for 1989 2.1 petrol inj. water-cooled Caravelle any ideas - don't wanna pay over the odds (who does) !! Neil

Reply to
neilcat1

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