901/02 *4081172*..... What year is it?

[turfclubroad]

Hi, I do not have the right books to check, can anybody help? This is a number given to me as the number of a 911s engine, however I am not sure which year it is from. Thx

[ttweed]

Looks like an early ROW 1968 911S 2.0 engine to me, before they changed to the 901/06.

See this chart from Stoddard.
TT

[mjmoran]

yep 68 ROW S according to 911 Red Book

[turfclubroad]

Very clear, thank you very much for your replies!!

[ttweed]

What I am not clear on, and would like to know if you pick up the engine, is whether or not it is an aluminum case. They switched to mag cases mid-year in '68, and the cut-off date or engine number delimiter is not well established, from what I have heard and read.

This was discussed on the PP forums in this thread. Engine # "408141" is reported as a mag case there. This is one digit short of a valid serial number for the range, though. Are you RetroSC on the PP board?

TT

[turfclubroad]

I do not know yet if it is alu or magnesium case, I am waiting for an answer. The engine has been stored since 86, was running then, but I have no way of saying what condition it is in now (unless I would open it up). It does come with its original IDS webers.

Any idea what the engine is worth?

[ttweed]

I do not know yet if it is alu or magnesium case, I am waiting for an answer.

The serial number of the engine on the PP forum has been updated to *4081419*, so it appears to be a later engine than the one you are looking at. If "1172" is an aluminum case, that would narrow the cutoff range, so please post when you know.

Any idea what the engine is worth?

This is a very difficult question without more info on the condition of the motor. If it is complete and an aluminum case, I would say it is worth $2000-2500 as just a core. The IDS carbs could be worth $1200 alone, if they aren't too worn. The case is worth $500-750 by itself, if in good condition and complete with covers, etc. Any engine that has been in storage that long is a crapshoot, and I would hesitate to spend more than "core" value for it, as it would need to be torn down to verify condition and refresh anyway.

Let us know what you do, and if you don't go for the deal, there may be someone else here who would appreciate contact info on the owner.

TT

[turfclubroad]

The owner does not know if it is a mag or alu case. Are there any visual differences between the two? Unfortunately he does not have two engines so a colour description probably will not be enough..... He did give me another number which may be of help? underneath the 901/02 designation the number 14233 has been stamped.... does that give any indication? By the way, what is worth more? The engine with alu or the engine with mag case? I would say mag especially if you want to recreate a 911t rallye (which was my first thought), they were fitted with mag cases weren't they?

thx

[ttweed]

Are there any visual differences between the two? Unfortunately he does not have two engines so a colour description probably will not be enough.....

Other than color, I think the only way to tell would be to take a small shaving from a case rib or somewhere and try to light it off and see how it burned. Magnesium is much more volatile than aluminum.

He did give me another number which may be of help? underneath the 901/02 designation the number 14233 has been stamped.... does that give any indication?

That number is no help in identifying it, AFAIK. I have seen a wide array of those numbers on identical year engines with no rhyme or reason.

By the way, what is worth more? The engine with alu or the engine with mag case?

The aluminum case is prized for it's strength and stiffness. Mag cases do not hold threaded fasteners as well and require more prep to be as bulletproof (align-boring, shuffle-pinning, case-savers for the studs to prevent pulling, etc.) They are lighter, however, and with proper prep can be just as reliable.