Porsche Engine number Q?

[Volz]

Hi, I' looking at buying a engine for my engineless '84 911.

Found a seller who says he's got a good engine but he's not sure if it's a 2.7 or 3.0, so he gave me just the engine number

OE 320146S

Does this mean anything to anyone?

Thanks

[BRLuecke]

Can't help with the type. BUT seems to me you would not want to "back date" the engine type unless it was DIRT CHEAP.

Look for a nice, lower miles 3.2. Otherwise I believe you are looking at the modifying the wiring harness, replacing the fuel pump, the DMI, and probably modifying the heating and other systems.
Even if you are thinking about using carbs, there is a lot to do.

I'm sure some of the more seasoned 911 guys will chime in, but you should start making a list of the costs besides the engine. It might surprise you.

By the way, there are occasionally nice engines for sale in the "For Sale" part of the forum and of course almost always one or two on eBay. It is always nice to have the history, see a leak down and compression test, and if possible hear it, see it, drive it as part of a running car.

Just my 2 cents, but I'd look for a 3.2 OR even maybe a big HP 3.6 to stuff in it.

Good Luck

Brad

[Volz]

I'd like to stay with the right engine which the car came with. I'm not sure if it's a genuine 84 model or was only registered in 84? I'm brand new to Porsche and don't quite know the diffirence between a 81 and a 84... I just went to go take a look at the car for interest but when I saw the condition and price I had to take it, although no engine, ha ha!

Every thing is in the car, just needs a engine. The ECU is a six pin if that is any clue to what engine it had. Has 915 box. 3 Spoke steering wheel.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Will post pics soon

[BRLuecke]

Hi again. Just saw you are in South Africa. Don't know if that is an issue as to what engine you had.

In the US, the 1984 was the 1st year of the 3.2L engine AND the 1st year for the Motronic Fuel Injection (which replaced the CIS of the 2.7 and 3.0 L cars)

Generally the 3.2 engine are quite robust and the Motronic injection is considered (by most) a better more modern fuel management system. Not to say there are not quirks and weak spots, worn valve guides are an issue.

The 1984 to the 1986 still used the 915 gearbox. The G50 started in 1987.

As for finding an engine, in the US, in addition to private sales, there are several salvage yards devoted to Porsche parts, you can find their parts for sale on eBay as well as on their web sites.

Hopefully you have similar resources in South Africa.

Good Luck

[Volz]

Finding a good engine in South Africa is not as easy as in the States it seems, but they are out there. I go to NY and Washington DC about once every two months, so I've considered getting a rebuild over there. Saw Motor Meister and Air Cooled Engines on Ebay, just not sure of their reputations...

I've still got allot of research to do on these cars, as I'm not even sure what year model I got if I don't go with the Reg Papers , but they are all pretty damn awesome!

Thanks for the input!

[group911@aol.co]

Post a picture of the VIN numbers and engine compartment to try and narrow down the year.

[BRLuecke]

Hey

I shipped a whole car to Italy for about $1000US so I would think a motor would be less.
I think this group would say "Negative" on MotorMeister, lots of bad things seem to happen in their rebuilds.
Check out www.911pcar.com/ or Weekend Rides LLC - One of the largest used Porsche 911 parts and rebuildable Porsche salvage companies in the world. or Oklahoma Foreign- Used Porsche Parts. From early to late models, 356, 914, 911, 930, 944, 928, 968, 993 & boxsters. and in the Used Parts for Sale on this web site. A good chance you can find a low mileage 3.2 engine on one of these. Typical price is around $5000US for more or less a plug and play motor.
At some point you also want Wayne's book, 101 Projects and a Bentley Manual for your Porsche.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...We always need pictures, pictures pictures.

Brad

[Volz]

Here are some pics:

[ossiblue]

As far as I can tell, the sticker you posted in the picture decodes as:

9112210858: 1972 911E, Targa

Engine #6221689: 1972 911E engine 2.4 liter

Not sure who made the sticker, and it does not match the car. The numbers describe a Targa but the description says, "closed top." Neither appear to fit the actual picture of the car which is clearly a later model as you describe. You need to get the stamped VIN--in the trunk and on the A pillar-- to confirm the year of the car.

What and where, exactly, is the sticker? Is this something added by the South African gov't. when the car is imported or registered? Whatever it is, it doesn't appear to be for this car.

edit: Just reread your earlier posts. Before you consider engine rebuilders, DO A SEARCH!!! One of the ones you mentioned (starts with an M) has a quite interesting history. Use Google or the search button at the top of this page and type in the name.

[E Sully]

My search shows the same as ossiblue. The CDI is not part of an '84 ignition. You need to search out other vin tags. What # is on the bottom of the transmission?

[group911@aol.co]

Chassis is at least a 77. That silver box with the warning sticker on it- count the number of connectors going in at the bottom. 3 = - 2.7. 6 =3.0
Either way, it doesn't appear to have been wired for a 3.2

[djpateman]

look for the factory VIN # here:

You need to get the correct year & model of the car sorted out first.
I sent you an email of a local guy whom you should contact.

That engine # makes no sense at all. At least it should start with 6 and have no letters in it until 1980 models. The engine # should be found on the right side of the engine case where the cooling fan is supported.

[Volz]

Thanks guys! I´m in Brazil but will check it out as soon as I´m home!

I agree, these numbers on the License disc makes no sense...

Hope I didn´t get a dud

Cheers

[Jezebel]

Also the bolt pattern on the flanges going out of the tranny would indicate you are fitted with an early 915 Transmission 1972 or 1973, ( which would fit the 1972 E engine number on the registration sticker ) .
( 4 bolts pattern was used on early cars, then moved to 6 bolts pattern )

Francois

[SpeedracerIndy]

There are some clues as to the year, but they are confusing.

-Impact bumpers = 1974+
-no fender mounted turn signals = < 1981
-Steel trailing arms = < 1974 (??)
-Power brakes = 1978+
-CV flanges have 4 bolts (as Jezebel mentioned above)

Of course all of those items could have been changed from stock. To stay original it could be anywhere from 1973 to 1980. The actual VIN from the trunk should help a lot.

[Volz]

Been away a bit. Was just able to make out the VIN: 9112210858
Guess the car is not original then...

[tonythetarga]

the breakdown is:
911 = 911
2 = 1972
2 = 911 E
1 = Targa
0858 is the sequential production number. I think it was one of the last as the run goes to 9112210861
This chassis looks like a coupe.

[Grady Clay]

That VIN does not belong with that chassis.
Clearly the chassis is much later than 1972.
What does the title/registration show for the VIN?
It also seems to be a collection of parts. I see steel trailing arms on a much later chassis.
Note the incorrect length CV joint bolts.
Be very careful. It may belong to some insurance company.
There are ways to find the correct VIN for that chassis.
I would have law enforcement inspect it.

Best,
Grady

[Matt Monson]

Get a jackstand under the bellhousing of that gearbox. You don't know how many boxes I see with bent shift rods and it's very often because of that very thing, letting it hang like that. With all the issues people have with shifting and bushings in 915's, you really want to take care of your gearbox better than that...

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Grady Clay

That VIN does not belong with that chassis.
Clearly the chassis is much later than 1972.
What does the title/registration show for the VIN?
It also seems to be a collection of parts. I see steel trailing arms on a much later chassis.
Note the incorrect length CV joint bolts.
Be very careful. It may belong to some insurance company.
There are ways to find the correct VIN for that chassis.
I would have law enforcement inspect it.

Best,
Grady

+1!!

There is something very, very unusual going on with that car. I assume your last post about the VIN was a reading of the stamped VIN as shown in the photo posted by djpateman, correct? If that's the case, IMO the entire car needs to be thoroughly gone over by someone familiar with these cars, as well as a law enforcement official as Grady suggests.

It's not unusual to "update" an older car to look like a later model but, in this case, the original car (according to the VIN) was a targa and the car currently is a coupe. Either someone redid the targa into a coupe or, worse, someone simply swapped VIN's from a 72 targa into a coupe. The quality and integrity of the first option is essential to confirm. The legality and potential fraud of the second option requires official government assistance as Grady mentioned. As stated, proceed very carefully and keep us informed, please.