6V generator, will VW generator fit?

[Juha Vane]

I'm planning to keep my 356 with 6V electrical system. Now when I'm rebuilding the engine
would like to rebuild the generator also. Local VW supplier have Bosch 6v generators
12R LJ/REG 180/6/2500 and this should also fit 356.
Could somebody confirm if a VW 6v 90mm generator will fit & work in a 356?

The existing generator have Bosch numbers 0 101 206 029

[Dave Wildrick]

According to a post I saved from 2006: "1965 VW Bus (Type 2) generator is identical to the 6 volt 356 generator."

Previous VW to 356 interchange lists on 356talk have said that the generator from a 36hp and 40hp VW will work in a 356.

[Martin Benade]

The 6v VW car one will work fine but is set up for the regulator on the generator. Only the bus had correct terminals. Either will function.

[David Jones]

Yes it will Juha but the electrical connections to the generator are different as the VW had the regulator mounted on the generator. See attached pictures.

[Juha Vane]

Thanks.

In case somebody plan to replace the bearings, they are both in this generator number 6202.
Very simple to replace, pull bearing in commutator end (where the brushes are) straight from
the bearing outer race so you don't bend the shield on shaft.

[Dan Epperly]

The 6v VW car one will work fine but is set up for the regulator on the generator. Only the bus had correct terminals. Either will function.

They used the same generator up until the bus switched over to the type 4 engine.

[Martin Benade]

You mean same as the Porsche, not Beetle, right? And bus is either 6 or 12 v depending on the year.

[Dan Epperly]

You mean same as the Porsche, not Beetle, right? And bus is either 6 or 12 v depending on the year.

I meant that the Bus and the Beetle and Ghia used the same generator up until the switch over in 1972 to the type 4 engine for buses. There were differences in amps on some bus models, I think post 68, but the generator body was the same. Type three generators were totally different.

[Martin Benade]

See David's picture to notice the difference. Not sure about Ghias, but sedans had just wires hanging out, to go the the regulator on the generator. Only buses has studs like a 356 for the connections. I did once drive from Cheyenne WY to LA and back to Cleveland with a sedan generator after a breakdown, so I know exactly what VW was using.

[Dan Epperly]

See David's picture to notice the difference. Not sure about Ghias, but sedans had just wires hanging out, to go the the regulator on the generator. Only buses has studs like a 356 for the connections. I did once drive from Cheyenne WY to LA and back to Cleveland with a sedan generator after a breakdown, so I know exactly what VW was using.

Martin I currently own five early VW buses and owned more VWs then what is probably rational, so I'm pretty familiar with them.
All type 1 and type 2 six volt VW generators with one exception, used the same set up with the regulator mounted on top of the generator. The exception was buses equipped with the optional 1500 engine and the '66 buses all of which came with the 105mm wide six volt generator with the remote regulator, but all the small body ones came with the regulator on top.

There is of course a thread about it on the Samba.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewt ... +generator

[Martin Benade]

Your wording was not clarifying it that well, but you have the correct facts, where I had only some of the correct facts. I also have owned very many beetles, but no buses.

[Mervyn Hyde]

Let me start by saying that my 6V generator is working well and I have no issues, at this stage. I wanted to get some spare brushes however, to keep in my travel pack.

My question is: will some VW brushes for 6V generators fit, as these are easier to obtain locally and without international freight charges, in Australia?

https://au.vwheritage.com/111903515c-dy ... t-vw-spare

A cross referenced example, https://www.wpdusa.com/products/24756/2 ... 80&make=74

[Martin Bruechle]

The 6v VW car one will work fine but is set up for the regulator on the generator. Only the bus had correct terminals. Either will function.

The 6v VW car one will work fine but is set up for the regulator on the generator. Only the bus had correct terminals. Either will function.

They used the same generator up until the bus switched over to the type 4 engine.

This thread is about 6v.
67-71 type II VW is 12v

[Juha Vane]

The VW 6V brush is 13,8mm x 5,8mm and 19mm long.
VW part numbers: 111903515AK, 111903515C

I'll try to locate my spare Porsche brushes tomorrow
or I'll pull one from my generator and verify the dimension.

Or now when we have the VW dimensions, perhaps someone
have a Porsche 6V brush around and verify this.

[Mervyn Hyde]

Thanks Martin, yes I was asking about 6V brushes. That is good of you Juha, but only if you can find a spare to measure. No need to pull one of yours, please. I could see the dimensions of the VW ones listed above for 6V use, and found various alternate parts lists showed them to be compatible with Porsche 6V (https://autopartsmarket.eu/en/?action=c ... price_view).

They also seem to have the same shunt wire. However, without pulling out my existing brushes, I am not sure of the dimensions of the Porsche Bosch ones. I hoped someone would know.