How Do You Decode The Engine Identification Numbers

[randytrish]

Hello All,
I'm new to Porsche and have a '75 911S. I know that this subject has to have been mentioned many times. I performed many searches with no definite answers, so I guess I'll post the question. I have located my serial or identification number on my engine. Now what does it mean? Should it correspond with the vehicle ID number?
Thanks in advance,
Randy

[tsuter]

If you mean the engine type number, it defines the year and the characteristics of the engine.
901/XX, 911/XX, 930/XX, 935/XX and so on. The Type has a range of engine serial numbers.

Your car VIN and engine type should "match" hence the term "matching numbers" unless someone changed engines....unfortunately not too uncommon with these cars. The VIN is also in more than one place so if two cars have been cut in half and welded back togethere the VINs may not even match.

To understand the numbers...use the lookup table.

Your 75S engine type number should be 911/4X where x is 1-9.

[randytrish]

I have the numbers 901 106 1015R in the casting at the fan housing. The numbers stamped into the right hand support of the fan housing are 6450165. Where is the table that is mentioned above?
Randy

[Grady Clay]

Your 7=digit ’75 engine number should have the form:
*6X5xxxx*
where:
6 = Engine design, 6-cylinder engine
X = numbers 1-7 (see list below)
5 = Model year 1975
xxxx = Sequential serial number usually starting with 0001. Exceptions: Starting with 9001 = engine for Sportomatic.

X = 1, 911, Type 911/41, (or Type 911/46 for Sportomatic)
X = 3, 911S, Type 911/42, (or Type 911/47 for Sportomatic)
X = 4, 911S/Carrera USA, Type 911/43, (or Type 911/48 for Sportomatic)
X = 5, 911S/Carrera California, Type 911/44, (or Type 911/49 for Sportomatic)
X = 6, Carrera 2.7 (MFI), Type 911/83
X = 7, Turbo 3.0, Type 930/50

Best,
Grady

[tsuter]

That 901 106 number is a casting part number. The engine type number is right near where you found the engine serial number. Its on a flat surface sort of behind the serial number.

[tsuter]

The table is in most Porsche performance handbooks. I have not seen it on line query.

[randytrish]

So the last 4 digits of the engine number should be the same as the last four of my vin number?
Randy

[LeeH]

http://www.elferhelfer.com/fzident.htm#
It's in German, but easy to figure out.
Your engine does decode to '75 911S for US market.

[tsuter]

Originally posted by randytrish
So the last 4 digits of the engine number should be the same as the last four of my vin number?
Randy

No. One is a body serial number and the other is an engine serial number.

[randytrish]

Thanks for bearing with me on this. What would,if anything, tell me that this is the original engine for this car?

[vpisano]

I have a 1980 911 SC Vin 91A0140398 with an engine number of 6880147 which may not be matching. Can you tell me the engine specs.

[Cook&Dunning]

First off - welcome. If that engine serial number is correct, it appears to be a non-California 1978 Turbo engine. A fairly rare beast. Less than 300 produced. 253 HP @ 5430 rpm or 265 hp depending on source. 395 Nm Torque. 7.0:1 compression, 3.3 litre. (compared to 185 hp for a normal 911 3.0 SC, 8.5:1, Nm 265 Torque) I may get shot down for this - but the engine and gearbox may be worth almost as much as rest of the the car. VIN indicates a regular 1980 SC Coupe, 1 of ~4200

PS - that was a 10 year old thread! Congrats

[Rumbles]

I have an engine number of 6403545. I think that means
6 is 6 cylinder
4 is type 4
0 is 1980
3545 is the sequence number

When I look up the motor types for 1980, I only see type 7. However, there was a type 4 in 1979. Was the 1979 type 4 continued into 1980?

FYI, the type 4 was a lower compression 8.5:1 motor for 49 state USA. The type 7 had a higher compression of9.3:1.

[javadog]

You have a US 1980 911SC engine, type 930/07.

You are confusing the engine version number (2nd digit) with the type number, which is not represented in the engine serial number.

JR

[Murph329]

I have a 928 with an engine block # of "M28/19 81D0844". Can someone tell me how to decode this? Thanks in advance.

[javadog]

Look it up using PET. 1983 928S for USA or Canada.

JR

[Kailua Carrera]

Hi all, new to this forum, I purchased a 85 Carrera knowing it had a rebuilt engine and was looking at this thread trying to decipher my numbers, which are 658 1581 and 930/06 any help would be appreciated, is it a common to swap blocks?
Mahalo Mike

[Mark Salvetti]

Welcome, Mike. Unfortunately it looks like you ended up with a 3.0L engine from a 1978 911SC. I think most of us would view that as a significant downgrade from the 3.2L your car should have.

I would say it's normally not common to swap blocks when a 3.2L is involved. You are more likely to find a swapped block in a 2.7L car because those engines had a lot of problems. And sometimes someone with a 911SC will upgrade to a 3.2L.

Putting a 3.0L into a 1985 must have been done to save money (unless it's a real hot rod engine), and hopefully not to cheat you.

Does it have fuel injection or carbs?

Mark

[Kailua Carrera]

im feeling sick now it has fuel injection
thanks

[Kailua Carrera]

she is pretty fast though