Strange engine number?
 

Please help - I just bought an engine with an MFI. It has a green shroud and the gold foil emissions sticker states 73.

There is no engine number in the upright location next to the fan. However, there is a number at the back to the right of the MFI pump: *6404869. This is the number that the vendor used in the deed of sale.

My Parts and Technical Reference Catalog states that the 1980 911SC engines begin with serial number 640 0001.

What engine do I have?

Thanks in advance!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304870123.jpg

1969 914-6?

This will be a good one for Grady (wake up, Birthday Boy, it's back to work.)

My source also shows that number to be a 1980 US SC engine. However, I've never seen the number stamped where you show it on a late engine but, again, my experience is limited. Also, the stars before and after the number give a hint. The stars were replaced with asterisks (or vice-versa) sometime over the years and that can help narrow things down.

Someone with more historical knowledge should jump in soon to help out.

That would be a 1970 year and the engine code should be 901/38.

*6404869*
Decodes as:
6 = Engine designation 6-cylinder unit.
4 = 914/6 type 901/36.
0 = Model year 1970.
4869 = Sequential Number. EDIT - see correction in post #7 below

This is a 1970 914-6 number.
This is a higher Sequential Number than I have ever seen.
Does the normal 911 engine number place appear unmolested?
It should be unstamped as a spare-part crankcase.

The type number should be just below the engine number on top of the crankcase.
There should be no type number in the 911 location.

I suspect this is a MFI engine built on a 914-6 crankcase (same as a 2.0T).
Looking at all the other pieces (heads, etc.) will give clues.
More pictures please.

Porsche didn’t realize the potential confusion between ’70 and ’80 numbers until ’81.
Uncharacteristic for the Germans. :rolleyes:

Best,
Grady

Thanks for all the info.
Belated happy birthday, Grady!
Here are some pics. It was allegedly in a 911, according to the vendor.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304873913.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304873932.jpg

Mark,

You are correct.
I have some pages from an “Edition 1969” parts catalogue (“Best.-Nr. 6022.14, 2M 9/69”) for 1970 model year 914-6.
It lists four engines:
901/36 starting with number 6400001 (RoW, manual transmission).
901/37 starting with number 6403001 (for RoW, Sportomatic!).
901/38 starting with number 6404001 (for USA, manual transmission).
901/39 starting with number 6407001 (for USA, Sportomatic).

I’ll revise my decode:
*6404869*
Decodes as:
6 = Engine designation 6-cylinder unit.
4 = 914/6 type 901/38.
0 = Model year 1970.
4 = 914-6 for USA, manual transmission, engine type 901/38. (Is there a ‘5’ and ‘6’ continuing this series?)
869 = Sequential Number.

This is a 1970 914-6 number.

I’ll go back and correct the above post.




Detroiter,


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304876816.jpg


Please post an image of the distributor hold-down/timing adjustment hardware (red arrow).
If there is a separate steel clamp with a combination 10 mm wrench and screwdriver slot, then it is a ’71 and earlier crankcase (as a ’70 914-6).
If there is a stud in the crankcase through a cast slot in the distributor body (no separate steel piece), then it is a ’72 through ’77 case.

There should be an 11-digit casting number on each side of the bottom of the crankcase.
It should have the form “901.102.xxx.zR”.
What are those numbers?

With the engine on a stand, you should be able to see the dates and numbers on the cylinder heads.
They are on the bottom, on the side facing in toward the crankcase.

Yes, it is configured for a 911 and not a 914-6.
Is there a type number (901/38) near the engine number?

What does the normal 911 engine number casting look like (green arrow)?
Try and get a good picture there and where the 911 type number would be stamped.

I see a 1972-only left heat exchanger.
The air filter assembly is ’72.
The tin along 1-2-3 cylinders is not ’73.
The fan housing strap (with decal) is ’73 only.

It looks relatively complete except for the MFI belt.
Does the engine turn over by hand?
Does the MFI pump turn easily?
What are your plans for it?

You have PM

Best,
Grady

They put it up there due to the mid engine configuration. Can't read it it up against the bulkhead, now could ya?

It is basically or was a detuned 69 911T.......

Exactly.

Porsche also marked the outside of the flywheel with the timing, valve adjust and MFI marks (same as the crank pulley) visible through an opening in the type 914/01 and 016/11 transmissions.


A 901/38 is pretty much identical to a '69T.
The big (obvious) differences is the configuration for 914-6.
Those include:
914-6 only oil cooler,
oil-out pipe,
engine tin,
heat exchangers,
muffler,
engine mount (single bolt),
wiring harness,
number stamping location,
decal
and more that I forget.

Best,
Grady

Sorry for the delay - went out for Mother's Day lunch.

"Please post an image of the distributor hold-down/timing adjustment hardware (red arrow).
See below

There should be an 11-digit casting number on each side of the bottom of the crankcase.
901.105.111.0R

With the engine on a stand, you should be able to see the dates and numbers on the cylinder heads.
They are on the bottom, on the side facing in toward the crankcase.

Sorry, I don't have a stand.


Yes, it is configured for a 911 and not a 914-6.
Is there a type number (901/38) near the engine number?

Sorry, I can't find it

What does the normal 911 engine number casting look like (green arrow)?
Try and get a good picture there and where the 911 type number would be stamped.

There is no engine number casting or type number.


Does the engine turn over by hand? Yes
Does the MFI pump turn easily? Yes
What are your plans for it?" I bought it for the MFI, thinking it will work for a 73, so I can be persuaded :>

Thanks again for all the info. The things I learn from this board everyday - PRICELESS!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1304883590.jpg

Hi Detroiter,
I keep a list of 914/6 engine serial numbers that are out of their original chassis.
I am going to add your number and location if that is okay by you.
The list is on the 914 world in the originality forum.
If there are any issues with this, let me know.
Thanks,
John

No problem, John.
I would LOVE to see this engine return to its original chassis.
Randy

Randy (detroiter),

It is sad to see all the corrosion.
The good news is you will be dispatching various pieces to different uses.
The crankcase will (hopefully) find its way to the original chassis or somewhere close.

I will volunteer to help you collect a proper MFI system for a deserving engine.

What are the numbers on the MFI pump, throttle bodies and stacks?
Clearly this is a collage engine.
The goal is to identify what you purchased and put it to the best use possible.

What is your intended goal?
What other engines/parts do you have for this project?
One of the ‘beauties’ of Porsche is the ability to combine a diffuse collection of parts into something Porsche never envisioned and better than anything Porsche ever produced.
You can be on that road.

Best,
Grady

I can only hope and dream that one day my 914-6 engine number will appear somewhere, 6414135, so I can hopefully reunite it with my car. :)