1966 911 engine #'s close, but no cigar?

[fleaman]

Hello, newbie here!

I checked out a 1966 911 with a vin# of 303259 and the engine #'s are 903445 (vertical) and 901/01 horizontal. The engine has webers on it.

Seems to be a 1966 911 vin#, but the engine chart sheet I found Here seems to say this engine is a '65 with Solex carbs.
Doesn't make sense to me as this car seem very original and untouched.

Some other interesting things:
> The headlamps have H4 style bulbs (not sealed beams)
> Some of the gauges are in german only?
> I noticed and amber light (warning light) that is at the bottom portion of the tach or mph gauge (can't remember which one, but it was the gauge on the left...tach I think?), this amber light was on when the engine was on, but there were no markings as to what this light is for? Is it a oil pressure warning light?!?!

I hope some of you can help me out here, kinda desperate, thanks so much.

Fleaman

[fleaman]

I remember now that the amber light is at the bottom of the tach gauge.

What is it for?

Fleaman

[fleaman]

AND! It has a gas heater up front! Did they only put those on the Euro 911's? Or was it just an option for any 911?

Fleaman

[Early_S_Man]

fleaman,

It was not uncommon to retrofit Webers to engines equipped with Solexes. That engine would seem to be of very late December 1965 production -- that chart is a bit confusing to use, so it probably is the original engine.

Did you look at the style of heat exchangers and muffler fitted? Did they look similar to the following pic?

[fleaman]

Hi Warren,

Thanks for the fast response (kinda need it!).

The car has aftermarket mufflers and the Head pipes look similar,
but was a little dark and dirty/rusty. Didn't help that my flashlight batteries started to fail on me.

Also, since this 911 has the gas heater up front, I would not think the heat exchangers would be the same, as in not needed?

The dash area looks the same as this 911here , I read that the bottom of the dash, there is that knee pad that wraps around the wood at the ends...supposedly the '65 doesn't have this knee pad?? The '66 I looked at has it as does the '66 in the link above.

Have any idea about the amber light in the tach gauge bottom?

Fleaman

[fryardds]

According to the Reb Book that VIN and engine match up. They are part of the O series and that combination of chassis and engines were produced from 1/65 to 7/65. There were 3154 produced.

[ttweed]

Originally posted by fleaman
Have any idea about the amber light in the tach gauge bottom?

That is the Emergency brake warning light. It is on when the E-brake lever is up.

The Webasto aux. gas heater could be ordered as an option on all models, I believe. It was needed in cold climates where cabin heating by the engine mounted heat exchangers took too long to come on.

TT

[fleaman]

Originally posted by fryardds
According to the Reb Book that VIN and engine match up. They are part of the O series and that combination of chassis and engines were produced from 1/65 to 7/65. There were 3154 produced.

So, that would make it a '65 model in Europe, and in the U.S. we call it a '66 model year, correct?

Fleaman

[Wayne 962]

I have a Porsche factory book in front of me with VIN and Engine Serial numbers. I only count on this book (from the factory) for accurate information when I look things up. I found this at a swapmeet many years ago, and I have never seen one since. Needless to say, I keep it in a very safe place next to my desk.

Okay, 1966 911 Coupe VINs begin with 300 236. Engine #s begin with 903 551 for engine type 901.01 in 1966. So, your VIN number does look like it is a 1966 car. However, the engine number looks like it officially is a late 1965 model.

Since the engine has Webers on it, it's obviously been played with (most have, after 40 years or so). I would tend to trust my Porsche Factory Serial Number Spec book over any aftermarket "Red" book. However, as seen in much official Porsche literature, there are indeed many errors made.

The only way to be 100% sure about this would be to inquire with the factory. Even then, they might not still have the 40-year old records any more.

If I were to guess though, I would say that is not the original motor in the car.

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Here's a photo of a page from my "secret book" just to prove it really exists! Also, top-secret notes from my work on Pelican's inventory system!

This book is probably one of the greatest finds I've ever had at a swapmeet!

[pjv911]

The 1965 models and early 66 did have a kneepad . The difference is they had no wings on the ends . Also the front hood pull knob was set further back about 4 inches . About the engine ? Its likely the correct original for a mid to late 66` .

Kurt Williams

[fleaman]

Originally posted by pjv911
The 1965 models and early 66 did have a kneepad . The difference is they had no wings on the ends . Also the front hood pull knob was set further back about 4 inches . About the engine ? Its likely the correct original for a mid to late 66` .

Kurt Williams

Mine does have the wings that wrap up at the ends of the knee pads.

I say "Mine" because the car is officially mine now!

Looks like I just joined the Porsche fraternaty...for better or worse (for better I hope).

I've always liked 911's (and many other fine automobiles), even though I come from an American muscle car background, as in I have an original matching #'s 1969 SS Camaro 4sp with 75k miles on it...worked in machine shops, speed shops and still work in the auto parts industry.

In any case, regarding the vin/engine #'s: Well, I've noticed that there doesn't seem to be a defining book on what engine would match the vin#....and it seems like many have different facts regarding what would match. I appreaciate Waynes info's, and it might just be possible that he might be correct about the engine not matching the car. I shurly hope Wayne might be wrong (sorry Wayne ), but it looks like it's too late for me to change my decision after the fact as I've already made a commitment.

At least with my '69 Camaro, matching the engine to the chassis is easy as the last 6 digits of the engine stamping code on the block will match the last 6 digits of the vin#. IF only early 911's were this easy!

I'll post pics and what I paid for this beast later in the week....and you all can tell me whether I'm and Idiot or Genuis for this purchase!

Thanks for all your help!

Fleaman

[pjv911]

Get " the red book" . It has all the # cross refferencing you need . That book is a substancial value for $12.99 . Every porsche enthusiest should have one.

Kurt Williams

[pjv911]

Flea , click this link and go to page 7 for all the info you need . Go further for more info if you like.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0760307237/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-6372342-1483900#reader-page

Kurt Williams

[ubiquity0]

Flea- is this a metallic grey car by any chance?

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by fleaman
In any case, regarding the vin/engine #'s: Well, I've noticed that there doesn't seem to be a defining book on what engine would match the vin#....and it seems like many have different facts regarding what would match. I appreaciate Waynes info's, and it might just be possible that he might be correct about the engine not matching the car. I shurly hope Wayne might be wrong (sorry Wayne ), but it looks like it's too late for me to change my decision after the fact as I've already made a commitment.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter anyways, unless this is a concours car...

-Wayne

[fleaman]

Originally posted by ubiquity0
Flea- is this a metallic grey car by any chance?

It's slate blue.

[ubiquity0]

Originally posted by fleaman
It's slate blue.

Just wondering as I know of another '66 in socal that I'm getting more info on:



I was originally looking for a LWB, but an excellent SWB would also suit me fine.

[fryardds]

Wayne,

Would you please put up photos from the 'Secret book' of the '65 and '67 model years? There seems to much confusion between the Red book and Morgan's book. I would like to have information from your Factory book for future reference. Thanks much.

ubiquity,

That looks like a nice SWB car. Any other photos?

[ubiquity0]

This is all I have so far:





Apparently its a color change. I'm not too familiar w/ swb specs but looks like 6x16" fuchs have been added (steel wheels were stock?) I think that is a dash cap over the (presumeably cracked) dash. Are those webers on the engine?