How do I tell what exact year my engine is?
 

I have a 1978-1979 911 3.0 engine in my 911. When I first registered to this forum, I asked what year my engine # was from, and someone said it is a 1978-1979 3.0. Is there any way to tell if the engine is either a 1978 or 1979, or were the engines built exactly the same in the two years where you cannot tell the difference at all? Is the only solution carbon dating? ;)

whats the engine number?

If its 6280001+ then its a 78 engine
If its 6290001+ then its a 79 engine

This assumes its a from a US car.

Both 78' and 79' were the same engine type. So the type number i.e. 930/03 or whatever won't tell you. The serial number however will. A 78' motor will have a serial number like 6x8xxxx. A 79' motor will have a serial number like. 6x9xxxx.

So basically the serial number 6180129 stands for.

6 = 6 cyl
1 = eng type (Japan 930/05)
9 = year (1979)
0129= sequential no.

Thanks you for the information. My engine type is 930/04. Where on the engine would I find the serial number???

Thanks.

It's located vertically on the right side of the engine fan support.

930/04 = 78' to 79' US 49-state 3.0

One thing to keep in mind is that the model years don't run from Jan to Dec.

If I'm not mistaken it is from Sep to Aug, so a '79 engine could have been produced in late '78 (Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec). That may have been the reason someone said it is a 78-79 model.

Bobboloo and Navaros,
Thanks for the replies. The engine # on the fan support reads: 6381340. Would this be correct then?

Update:

Just went into the garage and double checked both numbers. The engine type is really 930/03, and not 04. Now it makes sense. According to this webpage I get more torque than the U.S. model! SWEET!!!! This made my day!: http://www.adelgigs.com/911scproductiondata.shtml

I get 28 more NM than the U.S. model! :D :D :D

One more question, while I'm at it. My serial number is 91516630R on my transmission. What year would mytransmission be?
Thanks!

edit: I found the location of the transmission s/n.