Engine Mystery, No engine number, sold to me as a 1976 2.0 Options

[fiacra]

I bought this engine from another member a few years ago and had it shipped to me. The back story was that he removed it from a 1976 2.0 that he bought for a -6 conversion. Running when removed, but no other information. I had a project in mind for it, but it has sat in the crate it was shipped in for several years now and now somebody else is interested in buying it from me. The problem is it does not have an engine number where I would expect to find it near the oil tower. That area is completely blank. There's nothing where you would find a 1.7/1.8 engine number. I thought it probably was a factory replacement case, but today I opened up the crate and I've checked all over it and I can't find any clearly identifying marks on the visible areas of the case, such as the mark I've seen pictures of that VW used on a replacement/refurbished case. The oil dipstick is in the right place, the spark plug orientation is correct, it has green fuel injectors, a 2.0 air box for a 75/76, three bolt intake manifolds, and to the best of my ability to tell it is a Porsche 2.0 engine and not a modified 1.7/1.8, a 912 engine, or a bus engine. The only marks I could find were next to the plenum (see pictures), but I have no idea what these mean. No engine number on it anywhere, unless it is under the tin. If I made a mistake, didn't do my due diligence, and ended up with something that is not a 2.0, then I'll take the hit. What I really don't want to do is sell it to a fellow teener and board member, or really anyone at all, if I can't stand behind what I'm selling. I should say the member I bought it from did not seem at all as though they were trying to mislead me. I'm sure he'll be reading this and I'll let him weigh in if he has any more information. So, does anyone have any thoughts on how to figure out what this engine is? Is there somewhere on the case I should be looking? Any other clues? I think it's a 2.0 with a replacement case, but I'd like to be sure if I can before I sell it as such.

[914Sixer]

Got through the system untouched. I have an unstamped case too.

[914werke]

Check the impeller housing. 912E motors were 2.0L & the serialization was on the fan housing not the case. The FI systems "looked" similar but had specific differances

[FlacaProductions]

Probably not helpful but I've never seen a yellow oil cap on a 914 - unless that one has just been painted...

[fiacra]

Probably not helpful but I've never seen a yellow oil cap on a 914 - unless that one has just been painted...

Yes, it was painted. As was the top of the dipstick. Not sure why, but I suspect mind altering substances were involved (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[fiacra]

Check the impeller housing. 912E motors were 2.0L & the serialization was on the fan housing not the case. The FI systems "looked" similar but had specific differances

Nothing that I could find there. I'll be able to check again tomorrow. This is clearly a D-Jet system, and not the L-Jet that was on the 912E. No AFM, etc.

It is definitely possible that I've missed a mark on the case somewhere. Anywhere else I should look? I know it is not always possible to solve a mystery, but I'd love to figure it out.

[Root_Werks]

Could it just be a replacement case? Didn't dealers use unstamped cases to replace bad engines?

[porschetub]

Could it just be a replacement case? Didn't dealers use unstamped cases to replace bad engines?

You could check for specific components for 2.0 only and go on those numbers ,if you have an ecu that would narrows things down somewhat ,it appears to look like a very original motor and it would be unlikely if it was a warranty case that they would have replaced it with anything other than a 2.0 one .
I think you can rest easy with it and at least no evidence of numbers that have removed and ground off ...that would be a worry ,cheers.

[porschetub]

Could it just be a replacement case? Didn't dealers use unstamped cases to replace bad engines?

You could check for specific components for 2.0 only and go on those numbers ,if you have an ecu that would narrows things down somewhat ,it appears to look like a very original motor and it would be unlikely if it was a warranty case that they would have replaced it with anything other than a 2.0 one .
I think you can rest easy with it and at least no evidence of numbers that have removed and ground off ...that would be a worry ,cheers.

[fiacra]

Could it just be a replacement case? Didn't dealers use unstamped cases to replace bad engines?

OK, I may have this all completely wrong, but a bit more research and I found that brand new replacement cases may not have had numbers stamped on them, but may have had blue ink part numbers put on the horizontal section of the oil tower. Pictures in this link:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=156518&hl=

Factory rebuilt cases would already have had engine numbers on them so an additional stamp would have been placed on the case to indicate it was a factory rebuilt case. I saw a thread with a picture of it yesterday. I'll post that link if I find it again.

This is stored in my second garage which is 10 miles away. I'll be back there tomorrow and see if I can find the blue ink stamp. I haven't looked in that location yet. Not sure how durable that mark would be.

I'm going to ping George because this is something he may know. @dr914

I should add I did check the ECU number (0280000037) and it is not for a 1976 2.0. However, ECUs got switched around a fair amount depending upon availability and my understanding is this ECU will work with this motor, although it's not ideal. Correct me if I'm wrong on that. I'll get the injector part number off it tomorrow and check that.

Thanks!

[davep]

As mentioned previously, the 912E had the serial on the fan shroud. Replace the original fan shroud with an earlier 914 fan shroud, and there are no numbers left. So either that or a replacement case.

[sixaddict]

Just saw this so I will add what I know. First caveat……I am not a -4 guy……I basically went by what I was told. Here is history/description of car and possibly someone else will recognize the car and be able to add details.
The car was purchased (forget when) in Atlanta from a former employee of AA ….forget his name. It was white and had metal flares installed but no painted. The car came from Oregon and if my memory serves me correctly , Craig (camp 914) was involved to some degree with work on flares. I will try to dig up pics and possibly vin #. In the last couple years I saw a picture of it but forget any details.
Car sat dormant for a long time before I bought it ….and also a few while I had it. A -4 friend with good -4 knowledge got it running with intent to sell it. Never drove it but no funky noises …..
Hoping this helps with your search for details.

[sixaddict]

Looked for pics of car in my computer without success…..Apparently deleted due to age.
Another comment…….The car seemed to be totally stock except for flares. I removed the B B bumpers but car was otherwise very complete…….so seemed to me that engine would have been stock. …….There was no reason to suspect otherwise, but that’s hardly certification. Still looking for files.