new engine- few questions

hi all!
just bouht a new engine 1588 for my cabbi
the water flange is on the left side [today i own a motor with left side flange]
does it have any meaning?

A picture would help?

The 1st picture is a 1.8 head that's why the top hose is between cylinders 3 and 4.
The 2nd picture is a 1.6 head, top hose between cylinders 1 and 2

So the newer engine you bought in the 2nd picture has the right head for a 1588cc block.  Is the picture and engine in a Mk1 Scirocco?

1588cc FR engine as fitted to my Mk1 Scirocco

 

1srt pic could also be a late cabrio, scorcco or mk2 golf 1.6 carb engine as well as late 1.8 carb

Does the engine block have 1.6 or 1.8 stamped on the back of the block or even better what is the engine code stamped onto the block just below cylinder 3?

Could of had a head swap in it's life as the top hose looks like it's the wrong one for a 1.8 and has just been bent over to fit?
My 1.8 DX engine, not the best picture but you can see how the top hose runs.

it does look like a normal late 1.6 carb, with the smaller rads they have as standard. these are based off the 1.8 bottom end but with different internals to reduce the CC so they have 1.8 cast on the back even if they're actually 1.6