Aircooled Engine sizes - how can you tell?

Author: Kate McCarthy Bedward of  York Classic VWs

Today I had a question, which was answered by Jez Dyke of Dubtricks (VW restoration experts) in Harrogate.  I wanted to know if there was a way to tell what size aircooled engine you have by looking at it.  Basically, unless it has been modified you can tell by looking at the code that is on the engine - just under the alternator.  There will be a letter followed by some digits.  Our 1969 VW Beetle has a D and then some numbers, I was told that a D meant it was a 1200 engine - which is what we had been told it was when we bought it.  Below I have done a table so you can check your own.

Anybody please feel free to comment if you have anything to add to this...

Code	Size	Model	Year	Notes
A	1200	Type 1	up to 7/65	(1192cc 30hp)
B	1600	Type 2	8/67 - 7/70
		Type 1	8/68 - 7/70	(USA)
C	1600	Type 2	8/67 - 7/70	(M240)
D	1200	Type 2	from 5/59	(1192cc 34hp)
		Type 1	from 8/65	(1192cc 34hp)
E	1300	Type 1	8/65 - 7/70
F	1300	Type 1	8/65 - 7/70
G	1500	Type 2	up to 7/65
H	1500	Type 2	8/65 - 7/68
		Type 1	8/65 - 7/70
		Type 181	8/69 - 2/71
K	1500	Type 3	8/65 - 10/73
L	1500	Type 2	from 11/65
		Type 1	8/66 - 7/70	(M240)
M	1500	Type 3	8/65 - 7/73
N	1500	Type 3	8/65 - 7/73	(M240)
P	1600	Type 3	8/65 - 7/73	(M240)
R	1500	Type 3	8/63 - 7/65	(1500S)
T	1600	Type 3	8/65 - 7/73
U	1600	Type 3	from 8/65	(fuel injection)
UO	1600	Type 3	8/67 - 7/73
AB	1300	Type 1	8/70 - 7/73
AC	1300	Type 1	8/70 - 7/75	(M240)
AD	1600	Type 1	8/70 - 7/73
		Type 2	8/70 - 7/73
AE	1600	Type 1	8/70 - 7/71	(USA)
AF	1600	Type 1	8/70 - 1/80	(M240)
		Type 2	8/70 - 7/79	(M240)
		Type 181	1/74 - 1/82	(M240)
AG	1600	Type 181	8/70 - 7/76
AH	1600	Type 1	8/71 - 1/76	(USA)
AJ	1600	Type 1	8/74 - 12/80	(USA & Japan fuel injection)
AK	1600	Type 1	8/72 - 7/73	(USA)
AL	1600	Type 181	3/73 - 7/79
AR	1300	Type 1	8/73 - 7/75
AS	1600	Type 1	8/73 - 7/80
		Type 2	8/73 - 7/79