Engine ID

[dm36415]

I have no history on my car, was wondering if there was a way to identify the engine (block numbers, etc). History on this board tells me engine swaps on mid-9's are quite common.

The previous owner(s) appear to have done precious little to the car, but the car does have a carrera chain tensioner and was wondering if someone added it or at some time dropped a different engine in the car.

VIN and tags indicate it is a 911S, but had a carrera tail and carrera script added, so I was wondering if at some time in its history a PO tried to make it "carrera like."

Before I dig in to major engine work, would really like to know what engine it really is.

Thanks again for the information!

[ttweed]

Dave-

There should be a Serial number and a Type number stamped on your engine that will at least tell you what the engine started out as, but there is no telling what changes might have been made over the years internally without more sophisticated inspection equipment or a partial teardown.

Look for the serial and Type numbers and post them and I'm sure people can tell you what the engine began life as, at least. Serial number is around the fan housing upright (left arrow in pic below) and Type number is stamped to the right on the case (right arrow.)

[dm36415]

Thanks Tom.

Serial number is 6275733

Engine type is 911/85

What does that mean as far as engine id?

[kycarguy 935]

Engine type is 911 2.7 S 911/85 165bhp 1976-'77, USA

I can't find a break down for the engine serial number right now. I will keep looking.

[ttweed]

http://members.rennlist.com/tweedt/stoddard3.jpg

'77 911S 2.7 is correct, engine serial numbers started at 6270001, pressure-fed tensioners were retrofitted, probably.

TT

[dm36415]

Tom,

Based on the information in the link, this was a coupe engine, while my car is a targa. VIN for targa is correct, but serial number and engine type are from a coupe. Should I assume that somewhere in the car's history, the original engine was replaced?

[tonythetarga]

The way I read the chart it shows the engine number for 911/85 starting with 6270001 and the engine number for 911/90 with the sporto tranny starting at 6279001. As I understand it, only the VIN tells whether the car was a Coupe or Targa but the same engine type could be used for either.
Coupe VIN starts 9117200001; Targa VIN starts 9117210001.

[ttweed]

Originally posted by tonythetarga
As I understand it, only the VIN tells whether the car was a Coupe or Targa but the same engine type could be used for either.

I think Tony is correct--only the Sportomatic cars got the Type 911/90 engine, and all the rest of the '77s (except Turbos) had the 911/85, coupe or targa.

TT