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Ford Engine Numbers
oliwb - 23/3/06 at 09:05 PM

Left my burton power catalogue at home so was just wondering if someone could tell me the two letters that corespond to a March 1985 engine....also how many digits in total is the engine number supposed to be? 6 or 7 can't remember?! Eg. 2 letters then 4 or 5 numbers? Cheers in advance.....Oli.


oliwb - 23/3/06 at 09:09 PM

On the same subject....anyone got an old ford engine lying around pref 1.6 pinto that they are never going to need so that I could "transfer" numbers....If its in Scotland I'd be willing to buy it and dispose of it....Turns out my reconditioned unit is a recovered stolen one from the police so has no legible number! Thanks for that one Tiger! Oli.


Marlon - 23/3/06 at 09:43 PM

March 85 is FM and engine number should be 2 letters then 5 digits. thats what mine is anyway!

hth. john


Chippy - 24/3/06 at 12:19 AM

I have heard that even if an engine number has been ground out that you can still find out what it was. I have absolutely no idea how it is done, (not much bloody help am I), but I think that Mr Plod may have the answer, worth a call at your local nick. ATB Ray.


02GF74 - 24/3/06 at 08:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Chippy
I have heard that even if an engine number has been ground out that you can still find out what it was. I have absolutely no idea how it is done, (not much bloody help am I), but I think that Mr Plod may have the answer, worth a call at your local nick. ATB Ray.


only if you know the chassis number of the original car; the engine number is the last few digits of the chassis number.

Otherwise it is not possible; if you know otherwise let me know. At best you may be able to narrow it down to a range according to the casting numbers.


DarrenW - 24/3/06 at 10:08 AM

It is possible to find the engine number on some blocks despite the efforts of the grinder. It partly depands on how they were stamped and how far the have been ground out. The stamping process deforms the steel further down than just the visible digits. I suspect (but dont know for sure) you can do it with strong acid in a similar way that weld penetration is checked. You might need a DIY forensic kit to do this - ie not feasible for Joe Public.

If you have a reciept for the engine and can prove it is stolen / recovered then i dont see any harm in trying the Police. It may however be the case that the engine number no longer legally exists therefore they may not want you to restamp it. Another way to resolve the issue is to call VOSA and ask the DVLA man what he would suggest in this case. It may be for example that Pintos / x-flows ceased production on a certain date that is before cat test etc (ie 3.5%) and proof of this will suffice - hence no need for re-stamping.


Personally id go the VOSA route first, im sure they would have come across this before. If not in a Kit Car then definitely when they inspect right offs / stolen recovereds before going back on the road.


02GF74 - 24/3/06 at 11:14 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
Another way to resolve the issue is to call VOSA and ask the DVLA man what he would suggest in this case. It may be for example that Pintos / x-flows ceased production on a certain date that is before cat test etc (ie 3.5%) and proof of this will suffice - hence no need for re-stamping.



... and they will tell you to contact engine maker (Ford). Ford will be able to confirm dates of manufacture from the block casting number but will not supply an engine number.


DarrenW - 24/3/06 at 02:27 PM

The only reason you need the engine number is for date of manufacture (actually Ford confirm the date that the engine was put in the car). If the casting numbers can confirm manufacture date then i assume this will be acceptable. As long as you have reciept or proof it is stolen and recovered engine then i see no problem unless DVLA kick up a fuss - im sure they said i could have a log book with no engine number on anyway.


oliwb - 24/3/06 at 07:35 PM

Ok only came to light when I applied to Ford for a letter, they say they can't date the engine at all by the casting numbers. There are no engine numbers and Tiger say its because the reconditioner's have used either a write off one or a recovered stolen one so no use there! Tiger sent me a V5 for my Donor parts but its for a 1970 Cortina so no Pinto....next problem is its a 1.6 in my car and a 2.0 on the v5. One saving grace is that the v5 states the engine number as "not stated". Tiger say get the prefixe for an '85 engine and make up the other numbers, apply as a change of engines with DVLA on V5 with made up number and new capacity. Then declare as scrapped after they return the v5. Apparently I can use a copy of the v5 with the made up engine number as proff of age - I'll take a long the Burton power catalogue aswell to help out if arguments arise....Hopefully I'll make it through!!! So just need the prefix letters to stamp the engine number on.......If only Tiger had supplied a proper V5 and an engine with a real number on it'd be so easy! Oh well such is life!....Cheers guys. Oli.


Schrodinger - 26/3/06 at 03:34 PM

If the Cortina had a 2.0l engine then it was a Pinto and IIRC all of the Mk3/4/5 cortinas had pintos over 1300cc. My 1600 Pinto came from 1974 Cortina.
You are supposed to have the engine number for the log book and the only thing the DVLA office checked on my Tiger Cat for registration was the engine number.