engine identification

[nedrepsa]

just wondering if someone can identify the engine in my E3 Si manufactured 1976 and dispatched to Australia.
cylinder head is dated 1980 and has 1304473 and 3.5 casting numbers
cylinder block has 3A79 and 1304239 casting numbers.
it has the long water manifold along the block.
now the odd thing is the engine number above the starter motor is 3271264 which is my VIN and as I said is 1976.
so I am just wondering if a new engine was supplied and given the number from the original ?

Thanks for any thoughts

 

[sfdon]

Sounds like your original block with a replacement head.

 

[nedrepsa]

with a casting date of 1979 and 3.5 cast into the water manifold I can't see this being an original block

 

[rsporsche]

the date + 3.5 are on the head, not the block. i believe that @sfdon 's assessment is correct

 

[merdad]

I believe 3A79 (January-3-1979), is the date block was manufactured, so not original to your car.
I have also seen a block that had a 3.2 casting on the block, and dated 9M76 (12/09/1976), with the original 1971 VIN number, but instead of + on either side, it had X on each side. I was told it was a BMW supplied replacement block.
True or not?

 

[rsporsche]

if the engine block has the car's VIN on it ... i think there is a mistake in the description.

 

[rsporsche]

since this question is about an e3 - 3.0 Si ... i am moving this to the e3 discussion folder

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

I am just wondering if a new engine was supplied and given the number from the original ?

Sounds like that is the case.

Was it common for BMW dealers (maybe other shops too?) to stamp a factory replacement engine with the car's VIN?

 

[merdad]

since this question is about an e3 - 3.0 Si ... i am moving this to the e3 discussion folder

In the case I described, it was1971 e9.

 

[merdad]

Sounds like that is the case.

Was it common for BMW dealers (maybe other shops too?) to stamp a factory replacement engine with the car's VIN?

I don’t know, but I am sure someone may know.

 

[rsporsche]

I believe 3A79 (January-3-1979), is the date block was manufactured, so not original to your car.
I have also seen a block that had a 3.2 casting on the block, and dated 9M76 (12/09/1976), with the original 1971 VIN number, but instead of + on either side, it had X on each side. I was told it was a BMW supplied replacement block.
True or not?

very curious if it has a + or an x on the block. sounds plausible as i remember replacement engines did use an 'x' ... just never saw one to know exactly where they used it.

 

[merdad]

very curious if it has a + or an x on the block. sounds plausible as i remember replacement engines did use an 'x' ... just never saw one to know exactly where they used it.

I am searching for pictures, no luck yet. But they were exactly where the + s were.

 

[sfdon]

with a casting date of 1979 and 3.5 cast into the water manifold I can't see this being an original block

You are very astute- and I am perhaps lazy today.
Long drive to Finisterre today.

Correct combo for a 1979 block. 2 thumbs up nedrepsa!

 

[merdad]

I am searching for pictures, no luck yet. But they were exactly where the + s were.

Found it, still mated to its original BW tranny

 

[sfdon]

Note it is very difficult to fake a VIN

The grinding process for the flat boss is unique and very hard to duplicate.

 

[nedrepsa]

I cannot see a + or x but that is probably a fault of these 78 year old eyes.
but the stamping 3271264 is certainly not an amateur reproduction.
thanks for everyones input

 

[rsporsche]

Found it, still mated to its original BW tranny

clearly the 'X' instead of a '+' on the replacement engine.