914 Engine Serial Number Question

Highland · 02-10-2011, 06:10 AM

I'm trying to figure out what kind of engine I have. The serial number is GA015981. I have 4 studs on the intake manifold. The injectors are yellow and I have a 1.7L oil bath air filter.

The GA serial number is out of range of the numbers listed for this engine. Is it logical to assume this is a replacement GA 2.0L case with a 2.0L crank and a 1.7L cylinder, pistons, and heads?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

GA would have originally been a 2.0 case. I'm not all that certain how accurate the specific range of numbers are (the factory's record-keeping of that era is notoriously sloppy), but the GA is the important part.

Where is the number located? Could it actually be an "E" instead of a "G"? EA is one of the 1.7 engines, and the rest of your engine appears to be a 1.7.

Since the 1.7 rods do not fit on the 2.0 crank, and the 2.0 crank and rods will push the piston out of the cylinder at TDC, you will not have a 2.0 crank and 1.7 pistons unless someone spent an awful lot of money to do something very odd. Also, the 2.0 (and 1.8) cylinders would require machining the area of the head where the cylinder mates, so you're a bit less likely to have anything larger than stock pistons.

Best assumption at this moment: It's a stock 1.7 built on a 2.0 case.

--DD

Highland · 02-10-2011, 02:29 PM

Thanks. What you say makes sense. The serial number is between the oil fill and the timing plug and I looked multiple time to make sure it was a GA.

Based on your reply is it correct to assume a 1.7 crank and 1.7 cylinders will fit on a 2.0 case? What is the major difference between the cases?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

The major difference between the 1.7 case and the 2.0 case is the serial number. The dimensions for pretty much everything on the crankcase are identical. The early 1.7s did not have a windage tray, so they don't have the bosses around the inside of the sump where the tray goes, but that's really about the only difference.

The VW applications can have more significant differences, of course.

--DD