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]

@JeffBowlsby

after all the info came in from members with 1.8s - and some searching through older BAT ads with lots of detail photos we turned up the following on engine tin number stamps.

by and large 4 numbers.

604, 605, 606, 607.

we have reliable original cars with 604.
these are EC-B (for all intents and purposes established as EPA/49 state).
these cars are 1.8s that came new without the console and gauge pack.

we have reliable original car with 605.
this is an EC-B. this car came with the console gauge pack from new.

(i always thought the 1.8s did not get a guage/console option like the 2.0s but turns out they did, StarBear got one).

we have a reliable original car with 606.
this is an EC-A (for all intents and purposes the california car since it has the CARB approval). this car was a base 1.8 from new with no gauges/console.

i found a detailed BAT ad with a well documented EC-A with 607.
documents show it came new with gauges and console.

we know from parts manual that EC-B came with different throttle body than EC-A.
EC-B definitely had two port throttle body and full distributor hook up.
it seems very likely that EC-A had single port throttle body and only one hose hookup to distributor.

from parts manual the only other difference i can find in 1.8s is provision for guage hookup with engine. the so called Taco Plate.

i think this is a possibility.

EC-B no guage/console = 604
EC-B guage/console = 605
EC-A no guage/console = 606
EC-A guage/console - 607.

we have a spread on these 600 series numbers from 11/73 to 06/74,
so they use them throughout 74 MY production run.

is support of this i found some material for type 1 engines for beetles.
these are stamped with M followed by three numbers.
those codes describe what the engine has in terms of specific carburettors or fuel injection. it meant the right engine came out of stock to be mated with the right fitted out body at the end of the production line.

i think a similar thing goes on with 914s when you look at the factory photos.
the virtually fully finished and fitted out bodies are mated with the suspension and drive train right at the end.

you want the correct engine going in the correct body.
and there are only 4 variables as far as i can tell.
they need to know this as the cars are not really being built in batches.
we have found EC-A and EC-B cars built only a few numbers apart on the line.

IO it turns out is for engines that failed initial inspection and had some rectification required. after rectification they were stamped in order and returned to the line.

there is one other number i found on a BAT advertised car.
it was d370 and the engine looked to be a EC-B.
a good guess might be a replacement engine under warranty?
or something like that.
when i get time to spare at odd moments i'll try and keep searching out these codes.
i have found a fair bit on the ones for type 1 engines.
but the type 4 stuff is not information floating around.