Last Solex engine?

[Flat Six, inc.]

My friend has engine 903359 and according to an old Bob Flemming post, it's the last Solex engine made....any truth to this??

-eng #907 001- - - Weber Carbs - - Feb 1966
---eng #903 359 - - Last Solex Engine - - 21 Feb 1966

Thanks,
Aaron

[Flat Six, inc.]

I also thought it was a '65 engine based on the Red Book...but it seems it's not...

[davep]

We can only go by what the factory said. Do you have photos of the engine? Build # and so on?

[Bobs 67S]

The numbers below are from the Porsche little White Spec Book and are the most accurate.

The ending engine 903359 is not right... found in one of the many books with "not to" correct info... and repeated by me...drat.

But on review there are three series of Solex - each with a different jetting
The engine number 903359 was the last of the middle spec... not the last of the engines which was # 903910.

The 903359 was picked up by one of the authors and at the time it was the only number to be found...
the spec book gives far better numbers.

The first series of Solex specs was the 900101 thru 900323 September thru Dec 14, 1964 (a couple months production)
900324 thru 903359 15 Dec 1964 -7 Dec 1965 ( a year production)
903360 thru 903910 8 Dec 1965 - 21 Feb 1966 ( a final couple of months)

Beside the jettings differences was the difference is the jet pack
first had a sized jet threaded into it,
second had the jet screwed in place but it was un-drilled (plug),
last was just a lead plug filling the hole.

That looks to be part of the jetting size changes.

The engine numbers coinciding to the Model Year 1965, cars #300 001 thru "about" 302 000 (the cars with the 1964 paint number codes) had engines 900 101 thru "about" 902 101. The cars after that had the 1966 paint codes and we can - this far away - (48 years later), point to the engines following that group to be a Model Year 1966 engine.

The big difference between 1965 and 1966 engines was the flywheel starter rings number of teeth in concert with the starter, the early had the count as did the 356 and a change to the later 911 happened at engine number 901639. I've got a note that reads "Early 109 teeth" - if someone can count the number of teeth on a standard 1966 engine we can compare the differences.

[JB21]

Almost off topic...but this 901639 engine of which you speak...are you saying it was the first of a later engine design? How do we know this? And does anyone know where this engine is? I ask only because I have 6/65 chassis number 301538. The Kardex says the original engine was 901639, and seems to say it was changed by the factory in 1968 to 3280774 and then again in 1969 to 3080349. All of which is odd. Trying to figure out what went on. Especially given that, although it was ordered with a sunroof in 1965, which does not suggest motor-sport intent, the car changed hands in '66 and at some point not long thereafter, it had factory roll-bar mounts welded in.

I love a mystery...this car needs to be restored and I am trying to figure out which way to go. All help appreciated.

The numbers below are from the Porsche little White Spec Book and are the most accurate.

The ending engine 903359 is not right... found in one of the many books with "not to" correct info... and repeated by me...drat.

But on review there are three series of Solex - each with a different jetting
The engine number 903359 was the last of the middle spec... not the last of the engines which was # 903910.

The 903359 was picked up by one of the authors and at the time it was the only number to be found...
the spec book gives far better numbers.

The first series of Solex specs was the 900101 thru 900323 September thru Dec 14, 1964 (a couple months production)
900324 thru 903359 15 Dec 1964 -7 Dec 1965 ( a year production)
903360 thru 903910 8 Dec 1965 - 21 Feb 1966 ( a final couple of months)

Beside the jettings differences was the difference is the jet pack
first had a sized jet threaded into it,
second had the jet screwed in place but it was un-drilled (plug),
last was just a lead plug filling the hole.

That looks to be part of the jetting size changes.

The engine numbers coinciding to the Model Year 1965, cars #300 001 thru "about" 302 000 (the cars with the 1964 paint number codes) had engines 900 101 thru "about" 902 101. The cars after that had the 1966 paint codes and we can - this far away - (48 years later), point to the engines following that group to be a Model Year 1966 engine.

The big difference between 1965 and 1966 engines was the flywheel starter rings number of teeth in concert with the starter, the early had the count as did the 356 and a change to the later 911 happened at engine number 901639. I've got a note that reads "Early 109 teeth" - if someone can count the number of teeth on a standard 1966 engine we can compare the differences.

[preS]

Almost off topic...but this 901639 engine of which you speak...are you saying it was the first of a later engine design? How do we know this? And does anyone know where this engine is? I ask only because I have 6/65 chassis number 301538. The Kardex says the original engine was 901639, and seems to say it was changed by the factory in 1968 to 3280774 and then again in 1969 to 3080349. All of which is odd. Trying to figure out what went on. Especially given that, although it was ordered with a sunroof in 1965, which does not suggest motor-sport intent, the car changed hands in '66 and at some point not long thereafter, it had factory roll-bar mounts welded in.

I love a mystery...this car needs to be restored and I am trying to figure out which way to go. All help appreciated.

The big difference between 1965 and 1966 engines was the flywheel starter rings number of teeth in concert with the starter, the early had the count as did the 356 and a change to the later 911 happened at engine number 901639

At 901639 the number of teeth on the flywheel was changed (and the starter?)

Richard

[Bobs 67S]

The engine number 901 639 came from the Porsche Parts manual for the service range and matching parts - flywheel and starter compatability.

Sorry don't know the engine or it's where abouts. Wish you good luck finding it.

[JB21]

The engine number 901 639 came from the Porsche Parts manual for the service range and matching parts - flywheel and starter compatability.

Sorry don't know the engine or it's where abouts. Wish you good luck finding it.

Ok, understood. Thanks anyway, Richard and Bob.



Since the Kardex has the engine change noted it isn't such a massive deal. But I would love to know why they changed it twice in 13 months. Especially as the first change can't have been ruined as it showed up in the USA on a 912 recently.

http://mbvintagecars.com/descriptionpage.php?id=206

[NeunElf]

Here's a scan of the little spec booklet for the Solex jetting:

And here's the flywheel page:

The Number of teeth of a gear is as the reference diameter of the gear divided by the modulus (or module).

There's one other significant change within the 901/01 engines that I know of, the change from center-lubricated camshafts to splash lubrication. My scanner's not working but the little spec booklet says engine mumber 903069 was the last center-lubricated engine and 901/01 engines with splash lubrication were number 903070 through 907000 (the last 901/01).

[preS]

Here's a scan of the little spec booklet for the Solex jetting:

And here's the flywheel page:

The Number of teeth of a gear is as the reference diameter of the gear divided by the modulus (or module).

There's one other significant change within the 901/01 engines that I know of, the change from center-lubricated camshafts to splash lubrication. My scanner's not working but the little spec booklet says engine mumber 903069 was the last center-lubricated engine and 901/01 engines with splash lubrication were number 903070 through 907000 (the last 901/01).

I had 903068 (center lube) and do have 903073 (spray bar)

Richard