Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

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Justin Hampson
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Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

#1 Post by Justin Hampson »

New to this group trying to research and find info on what I have. from the research I have done the block stamp is 8th of may 1953 and the 383 has a stamp code of may 53. I got this engine in a 1956 oval window beetle I bought years ago. looking for info on the engine and to see if the research I have done is correct. Carbs were gone when I got it and pistons are stuck but no water in the bottom haft of the engine. Clean oil. Thank you for any info.
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Justin Hampson
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Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2022 5:39 pm
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Re: Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

#2 Post by Justin Hampson »

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Donald Zingg
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Re: Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

#3 Post by Donald Zingg »

Do you also have the missing generator pedestal?
Whoever sawed off the generator pedestal rendered the crankcase useless and erased any possibility of determining the origin of that engine.

Justin Hampson
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Re: Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

#4 Post by Justin Hampson »

I received the engine in this condition mounted in a car. The generator stand broken off and missing and a chunk out of the crank pulley. :( no idea what caused the damage.

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James Davies
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Re: Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

#5 Post by James Davies »

Agree with Don. This is a type 546 engine, i.e. 1500 Normal, and the most valuable, rare part of it, the crankcase, is junk. The other parts could be used to build up a different block if you found one, or you could have a normal VW block machined to take the Porsche cylinders. From the date code on the Bosch 383, the engine was probably build in July/Aug 1953.

Justin Hampson
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Re: Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

#6 Post by Justin Hampson »

What do I have in parts that I can sell? I don’t wanna mislead anyone or claim anything incorrect. I plan on selling it in a package as is how you see it. Or parting out. What would be reasonable price? Do I need to strip down further to know internals and conditions?

Thank you

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James Davies
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Re: Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

#7 Post by James Davies »

Here's some idea of current values, condition making the difference in the given range (in USD):

heads, pair, $1000-2000
rockers, pair, $1200-1500
Bosch 383, $300-500
intake manifolds, $300
heater box tin, $1200-1600
cylinders+pistons, $500-1000

This will give you an idea of how to price.

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Re: Pre A 53 engine found in 56 oval

#8 Post by Jim Wayman »

Justin

I would be interested in the 383 distributor. You can contact me at hiway9999@hotmail.com.

Jim
Jim Wayman

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