Tinware writing, Was this on all cars…?? Options

[Clubsport32]

Hi All

Have seen this on an unrestored car…does anybody have anymore details…? I assume the 022 refers to the 1.7L but what about the other number?

Any insight would be appreciated…thanks

Andy

[wonkipop]

last night i did a bit of reading up on 1973.
not 914 history, but broad history.

i was only 13 at the time - probably why i can't remember much besides kicking footballs, playing cricket and general running around aussie kids did!
(but there was an oil crisis in aus, i remember my father not being able to get enough fuel and we had to stop using the "big" holden and start going everywhere in my mothers beetle).

74 MY production starts beginning sept 1973.
(think thats right).


Yom Kippur War begins oct 6 1973.



does not come out of nowhere, had been building for 4 months prior.



oil producing arab nations immediately impose oil embargo at beginning of war.
targeting western nations supporting israel. sparking first oil crisis. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)



in response to oil shortage and rationing president nixon imposes nationwide 55 mph speed limit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) november 23 1973.



within space of first 2-3 months of 1974 MY 914 production there is no petrol,
no speeding.

perfect storm - intersects with the imposition of stricter emissions limits in both california and to some extent the other 49 states.
(i believe california is a very important market for porsche at that time, roughly 50% of sales in the USA are to california, think i have that right - and 75% of all porsches are sold in the USA - remaining 25% rest of world and germany).

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porsche must have seen the events in the middle east coming?
(along with Ford, GM and Chrysler et al).
it had been building as a threat since may 1973.
egypt was rattling its sabre all year prior.

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what i think. just a thesis as they say in research.

EC-A is the car that meets the california emissions target and passes the curbside idle test. it has retarded timing at idle to lower NOx emissions at standing idle.

EC-B is also the car that meets the california emissions target but in addition has extra vacuum advance of timing at cruise for fuel economy.

Both scenarios are completed at the time the cars are being prepared for production?
Represent two possibilities both of which pass CARB and EPA and are 50 state compliant.

The EC-A is probably the preferred variant? - but with fuel economy potentially a big issue about to become bigger, vw and porsche choose EC-B as the one to go first on sale?

The EC-B car (starbear/wonki/van B) has slight driveability issues when compared to the EC-A car? doesn't come down off throttle as well or drive as smoothly at part throttle as the EC-A version? some people do say this with 1.8s. and its complicated territory. the decel valve is also implicated in driveability issues at that exact time, 73-74.

Richard Nixon's imposition of 55 mph speed limit renders fuel economy a moot point.

most cars are going to be a lot more economical at 55, its the efficiency point where air resistance doesn't kick in hard and the engine is just loping along.

after Nov 73, vw and porsche don't have to worry about fuel economy at high speed cruise? there is no high speed cruise (legally speaking).

They bring EC-A back into play and the cars start having that set up. (accords with dr. 914 and his view that EC-A starts in jan 74). EC-A drives a little sweeter?

interestingly - its not hard for dealers to plug and play between EC-A or EC-B.
just pull a hose and plug throttle body advance port. both scenarios are legal as both are california/EPA approved. doesn't matter about the sticker, thats just the way the car comes initially set up. its a legal mod and legal variation. dealers/mechanics would have known for sure how they could play with the car to make a customer happy and stay within the emissions laws.

?????

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49 state car. this is the hardest one to work out.
reason being they were certainly selling a 50 state car in places other than california -so why have a 49 state car and why sell a 50 state car in a 49 state.
it has advance only on dist and throttle body?
for fuel economy at high speed cruise?
no retard at idle - not necessary - 49 states did not have the harsher standard for curb idle? car does not run as hot at idle either with no idle retard.
the sticker distinguishes these cars not by EC-A or EC-B - it indicates what it is by only having EPA compliance shown on sticker.

??????? more info/research needed on the 49 state car. a bit thin on ground.

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A does not equal USA and B does not equal california.
(evidence is that both A and B are California + EPA).

A does not come before B in chronological time.
(evidence and claims by people who would know for sure says B comes before A).

what A and B are is two possibilities for 74 MY in a very difficult time and environment?
A = emissions compliant and superior driveability (might have been subtle?).
B = emissions complaint and fuel economy (has the edge at high speed cruise?).

vw and porsche have the two options up their sleeve.
and flip for B to begin with?
by late november 1973 any "advantages" B has are rendered marginal by nixon 55mph.
A gets introduced back into the picture.

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its only a thesis. ready to be pulled apart.

but the 1.8 is interesting in my view because its the first time L jet is used.
and it is born into a first oil crisis and a first pollution crisis.


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still don't have an answer to engine paint stamp codes - original question.

but looks like an EC-B could be either a 604 or a 605.

it looks like an EC-A could be a 607 engine stamp? but only one example so far to go off.