I'm not a real expert on VW Industrials, or for that matter on anything else! Here's what I do know:
FACTS:The 1192 CC 4o HP version, only actually produced 35 HP.
I know nothing about the 36 HP predacessor except that they did build them.
All of the VW industrials had Small diameter Geenerators. When the cars up-graded to 12 Volt they increased the size of the generator. Only one year of BUS (65) had the small diameter 12Volt generator. Porsches had the small diameter 12 volt generator so when you go to replace or rebuild one the parts house or rewind shop goes: AHH,... a porsche part,... we can charge 3 times as much for that!
They originally come from the factory with a 'Rev Limiter', a crude sort of speed govenor that won't let you over speed the engine. It's a special spring loaded distributor rotor. Centrifugal force caused it to interrupt the spark above a certain RPM's.
All VW Industrials had Manual Choke even when the cars of the same year were being outfitted with automatic electric chokes.
All the VW Industrials had the "Hand Crank Nut". This feature was dropped in 1960 with the end of production of the 36 HP for automobiles.
I know nothing about the 1300 & 1500 versions all of my experience has been with the 1584 CC, "1600", and it is a very good VW motor. It has a slightly longer stroke that equivalent VW 1600 Bug engines, and a larger intake manifold than the first few years of 1600 Bug engines. It also has Higher compression, 10 : 1. And even though the advertised HP is 53 or 54 HP, they actually produce around 60 HP, stock with no modifications.
They were used for: Generator Sets, to power Welders and Pumps, for Saw Mills, and Roofing Tar Pumps. Most ZAMBONI's have a VW Industrial. Thats the machine you see on Ice Skating Rinks that surfaces the ice. Most of these were propagne powered. A guy in N.Y. rebuilt them and HE was considered the real expert on VW industrials. I never got to meet him, just heard about him. I don't know if he's still alive, he was old when in the 70's,...
Some aircraft, and various pieces of farm equipment were also equipped with VW Industrials.
(3) makes of Snow cat had VW engines, Snow Trac, Kristi, and Tucker Snow Cat.