Another Engine Number Thread
 

Sorry to ask a question I should be able to answer for myself. I have a 1976 911S. Like just about every 76, my engine has been replaced. My engine number is *6462159. The first and third digits are correct for my car, but I can't figure out the "4". I have had trouble finding a conversion table that shows the "4" at all, and I have even seen one that shows it as a Carrera engine. Am I just looking in the wrong place?

It should not be hard to identify: type 911/82 1976 911S for North America, one of the most common engines in 1976. You have certainly been looking in the wrong places. Glad to help.

Thanks djpateman, I finally found the thread I should have been on and it looks like you are the expert. I hope you will indulge me one more question as I am new to the Porsche world. I've built American cars all my life, but now I'm getting old and wanted to try a real sports car. I don't really understand Type. I saw where another fellow had a 76 911S and his type was 911/81. Is that what the 4 indicates? I have found some decode tables, but they just show the second digit as type with no further explanation.

The 4 is an index # that is loosely linked to the Type #. The Type # is essentially a specification for the engine such that all engines with the same Type # will be the same size, power output and built with the same components although some components may be updated a little over the years the type was produced.
The index # could be different for a given Type # in different years. The index # could be the same for different Type #'s if the engines were very similar but for different markets.