numbers stamped into Throttle bodies: what do they mean?

[HughH]

I thought I had a good handle on all the places where there are numbers visible on my car, and what they mean. However today while visiting Clyde to admire is new purchase, a 73E a couple of months older than mine in generally original condition, and compare various things on the two cars Clyde spotted numbers stamped into the ends of My throttle bodies. We then found them in his as well but they were different numbers.

Mine are shown in the photos. The LHS one is stamped 02 73 120 and the RHS one 02 73 127. My car is a 73E made in June 1973 and most of the dated parts i have found on the car (fuel pump, CDI , MFI pump, 85 litre tank, etc) are all stamped May 1973. First of all I thought the 02 73 may be a date code (different to the normal "bosch" DIN codes on everything else) but that did not seem to match up with what Clyde has.

Anyone have an insight on these numbers??

[gled49]

I've seen them on 73S and RS, and obviously E's also. On my cars the "serial #" we're the same on both sides, but I know that is not always so, ask Matt at Eurometrix. My March 73 build had the 73 date code, my 11/72 build has a much different number that didn't make much sense. Not around the car to check today. Gordon

[Chuck Miller]

Both of mine on my April build S are stamped 02 73 07

[steve shea]

My 10/72 '73S has 01 02 174 and under, barely readable, a tiny Eurometrix. They were recently done by Matt.

[gled49]

My S is like Steves, 01 02 + serial #, doesn't make sense. All later stamping I've seen are the same 02 73. G

[HughH]

Thanks guys, at least one thing seems clear and that is the 02 or 01 at the start of the number does not refer to engine type / throttle body size given that the 02 is on both E and S cars and S cars have both 01 and 02. There is still a possibility that 73 means 1973 (but only if the 02 on Steves and Gordens 72's mean 1972). I will have to get Clyde to post the ones on his cars. Where is Matt when we need him? Maybe he will know

Clyde has told me that his numbers for the 73 E ( KG stamped vin plate so probably made very late in 1972) are identical to Steves, obviously without the additional eurometrix stamp

[RSTarga]

May build 1973 show 02 73 109 and 02 73 107

[Biancaneve]

Late April / Early May MY73 2.4S production

Left 02 73 100
Right 02 73 097

[911MRP]

Hi Hugh

If recall correctly the 12/72 production RS had 02 02 xxx for these components on both sides because coincidentally I looked at them only last week but haven't got the full numbers to hand or or taken photographs of those components. KG car obviously.

Can update later when I'm next around the car.


Regards

Steve

[Matt Blast]

Hello Hugh,

I can add what I know. The important thing about the numbers is they are on all MY ’73 throttles (T,E,S/RS), Also on ’74 3.0RS, 74-76 euro Carrera. There are no numbers on MY ’72....this area is blank on the ‘72. This is important when purchasing core throttles as most are offered for sale as 2.4 or ’72-73 making no distinction between the two. Of course you can interchange the ’72 with the ’73, but most people are looking for the correct throttles so these numbers are important for that reason.

They do not correspond to any specific dates or models (T,E,S,RS). I think it might be possible that it was an internal code to identify casting lots as I have seen the same numbers on different pairs. I can tell you that Norbert Eberhardt, who I respect greatly, was my predecessor and a factory trained Porsche mechanic back in the day, was adament that these numbers were purely random and used only to differentiate the model years. Thats what I believe. I use the numbers to differentiate MY ’72 from the later throttles and thats all.

Thanks,

Matt