Hi

I posted a while ago about my engine "loosing" its engine number, due to rust and corosion it seems. Didnt know what to do so emailed the SVA people who replied with this: (forgive me its long)

When the vehicle is presented for test, as far as our examiner is concerned
when inspecting an "amateur built" vehicle, he will be looking for evidence
as to the age of the engine "block" which will be used to determine the
"effective date" of the vehicle and thus determine what emissions standard
to apply to that vehicle. The "effective date" used to determine the
emissions criteria applicable will be the date of manufacture of the
vehicle, except for an "amateur built" vehicle, where it shall be 1st
January immediately preceding the date of manufacture of the vehicles
engine, if this is earlier. If the "effective date" cannot be determined,
it will be assumed to be after 1st August 1997 and will therefore be
required to pass a catalyst emissions test.

The most obvious evidence to present here would be a copy of the donor
vehicle registration document where the engine was the original fitted to
the vehicle. As you have said, you have the V5 which states the engine
number, however the number on the block is unreadable due to corrosion.
Re-stamping here may cause you a problem as this may look a little
fraudulent and the examiner may well dismiss this. What you would be best
advised to do here is re-approach the manufacturer and ask if there are any
other identification marks on the block that could be used to determine its
age or date of manufacture or if they are able to supply information
confirming the production run (period) of this particular engine (ie -
start date to final build date). However, if the production period spans a
critical emissions boundary, the vehicle will be tested to the latter
standard.

This evidence, if not available from the manufacturer could also come from
publications such as Auto-data or Haynes. Information contained in such
manuals are likely to have originated from the manufacturer. Other
information could possibly come from the internet if it originates from an
official source. It may be worth looking in these areas for this
information as well.

Anyway, does anyone know if there are other marks on the engine that might be of use of other ways of proving engine age. Your help would be aprechited.

Thanks. Rich.

The casting number on the block will tell you its age.

The engine number is stamped into the block. But there should also be a cast in number which contains the 2 letter ford date code.

David

I think the engine is a 95. Is there anything on there to determin when in 95 its made as thats quite key in the emissions test. (other than the engine number stamped in the block that is)

Yes the number thats cast into the block, not the stamped one. You should still be able to read the cast numbers, if not your block must be very corroded!

Ford use cast numbers to identify the casting (its the part number if you like) before it has a unique engine number stamped onto it. I assume they continued doing this on the newer engines as well.

You can see them on this picture of my pinto block, under the machined area where the engine number is stamped:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/flak_monkey/Locost%20Gallery/My%20Car/Pinto/Cleanedblock.jpg

If you can tell us what the 2 letter date code is then we can tell you the engine age to the nearest month.

If its a 1995 engine it will have one of the following codes:
SC, SK, SD, SE, SL, SY, SS, ST, SJ, SU, SM, SP (jan to dec)

David

ah ha, i better look for a cast number rather than the stamped engine number. I wonder where it is on a zetec.

Thanks

does anyone know where this might be on a zetec block. I have had a look but not much luck in finding it.

according to the ford technical helpline there are no other age identifying marks on a zetec block. This could pose a slight problem.

Are there different types of Zetec? i dont suppose some were only used up to a certain date were they???
At least with a pinto they ceased production when the Brontosaurus became extinct!!!! Even the Dodo is newer than a Pintosaurus!

I cant help thinking youmight be better off getting a replacement block from a breakers or similar. Yes it will cast and be a hassle but so will having to be tested to tighter emissions.

[Edited on 3/5/06 by DarrenW]

Think ive managed to track down a 94 1.8 zetec complete engine with engine number to replace mine so hopefully that will solve the problem. Thanks for all you help.