Engine number missing on my 75 914 2.0 Options

[Junioren]

Good morning to all of you readers.

I recently imported a 75 2.0 914. VIN and chassis numbers have been located and seem in order, however I am unable to find the engine number in its usual spot.

What could be explanations for having an engine without an engine number? When engines were replaced by VW/Porsche, would these new engines possibly have no number on them?

Thanks,
Raf (from Luxembourg/Europe)

[bdstone914]

Good morning to all of you readers.

I recently imported a 75 2.0 914. VIN and chassis numbers have been located and seem in order, however I am unable to find the engine number in its usual spot.

What could be explanations for having an engine without an engine number? When engines were replaced by VW/Porsche, would these new engines possibly have no number on them?

Thanks,
Raf (from Luxembourg/Europe)

I have heard that repkacement cases had no serial number.

[Shivers]

I had to buy a new case after a disaster. It also had no numbers.

[Junioren]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. So in such case it is most likely to be an original engine, however one that replaces the initial from the factory?

[jhynesrockmtn]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. So in such case it is most likely to be an original engine, however one that replaces the initial from the factory?

It would be really hard to tell without more history on the car. It could very well be "original" in that it was replaced by Porsche within the cars warranty period, or someone changed it out along the way. I'd be more concerned with making sure it is a proper 2.0 and wasn't replaced along the way with a 1.7 or 1.8 by a prior owner. Others with more expertise can help on that front.

Welcome and good luck with your new car!

[Superhawk996]

Did you check up at front of engine by the oil fill tower?

[davep]

There are three locations for the engine serial #. The early version for the 1.7 & 1.8 is on that angled boss near the flywheel end of the case. The 2.0 engines have it up front of the oil fill tower. The 912E 2.0 had it on the fan shroud instead so if that was changed it may appear to be missing entirely. A factory replacement engine or a remanufactured engine from dealer network (engines were remanufactured by VW Canada in Toronto) would all have serial numbers but generally marked AT. A rebuilt engine on a new case would have no serial #. The original serial # can be determined, so if needed, then contact me by email.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

did you look down in the canyon between the oil filler and the front impeller housing?

Good morning to all of you readers.

I recently imported a 75 2.0 914. VIN and chassis numbers have been located and seem in order, however I am unable to find the engine number in its usual spot.

What could be explanations for having an engine without an engine number? When engines were replaced by VW/Porsche, would these new engines possibly have no number on them?

Thanks,
Raf (from Luxembourg/Europe)

[Junioren]

A sticker on the engine provides the engine family identification as "17". Does anyone have any idea whether this would be a CA or a USA-49 engine edition?

[Junioren]

That is indeed where I checked and was expecting it, but no.

did you look down in the canyon between the oil filler and the front impeller housing?

Good morning to all of you readers.

I recently imported a 75 2.0 914. VIN and chassis numbers have been located and seem in order, however I am unable to find the engine number in its usual spot.

What could be explanations for having an engine without an engine number? When engines were replaced by VW/Porsche, would these new engines possibly have no number on them?

Thanks,
Raf (from Luxembourg/Europe)

[Junioren]

Hello guys,

I just dump the information I have but the mystery gets bigger for me:

Engine family: 17 (I thought this was only for 1976 2.0 engines) - displacement 120 CID so I believe it is a 2.0 l
Engine number (embossed in the space where the earlier engines had their number): EA013495 (so outside the known number range for the 1.7 engines)

Any plausible thoughts on what could have happened

[fiacra]

I thought all EA code engines were 1.7? Can you post pictures of the top of the engine? The number of studs on the intake as well as the position of the spark plugs is different on the 2.0 heads. Could also be your engine is a "hybrid" of parts. A 1.7 case can be used to build a 2.0 engine. Curious to see what the final answer is....

[wonkipop]

Hello guys,

I just dump the information I have but the mystery gets bigger for me:

Engine family: 17 (I thought this was only for 1976 2.0 engines) - displacement 120 CID so I believe it is a 2.0 l
Engine number (embossed in the space where the earlier engines had their number): EA013495 (so outside the known number range for the 1.7 engines)

Any plausible thoughts on what could have happened

the engine number is not outside the known engine range for EA engines.
the EA 1.7 was also used in USA 411 and 412 models.
the engine numbers are not sequential for 914s but are intermixed with 411/412 models.
same thing goes for the EB (73 california) 1.7 and later EC (1.8 engines) also shared with the VW 412 (at least for 74). only time the small engine becomes a 914 only engine is the 1.8 of 75.



i'd say the original case was destroyed (engine damage or wear) and has been replace with a 1.7 case or perhaps even 1.7 short motor? the fan casting is from the original 2.0 L engine complete with correct emission sticker for a later 2.0?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

PS don't be confused by the extra 0 in the engine numbers in the VW/Porsche parts catalogue listing. the same thing goes for the EC engines. for some reason they have a zero (or is it an O?) after EA/EB/EC in the parts engine number listing. but its not there on the actual stamp number on any engines.

[emerygt350]

Show us the heads! A 1.7 block is fine if they put all the 2.0 meat on it.

[JeffBowlsby]

Missing a couple important details to know what you have and what you should have.

Post photos of the intake manifold to head connection and general engine overall from both sides of the engine bay.
Post a photo of the label on the drivers side engine bay above the relay board.

[wonkipop]

A sticker on the engine provides the engine family identification as "17". Does anyone have any idea whether this would be a CA or a USA-49 engine edition?

engine family 17 is the 75 MY terminology for the GC-a series 2.0 L engine for 49 states of USA. 18 is the GC-b california engine of 75. the internals of the engine were the same USA and california. it was the equipment fitted to the engine that was different.
someone like @jeffBowlsby knows all that stuff. 2.0L are above my paygrade. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
i do lame engine 1.8s. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)


another clue as to exactly what bits and pieces you might have.
if the tinware is the original 2.0 L tin and it has not been repainted there might be a white paint stencil three digit code number on it. if the tin is from a 75 49 sttates 2.0 L the number 925 will be there. on upper surface of tinware on either right or left hand side up close to where the tin joins the fan casting. usually its hidden from direct view by one or other of the heater blower motor hoses.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

PS - the other clue its not a californian 75 2.0 besides being engine family 17 is the emissions sticker notes its "USEPA" conforming. if it was a californian spec engine the sticker would say "USEPA and Cailfornia regulations".
or in this case the fan casting is USEPA conforming. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[davep]

EA013495 should be an October 1971 engine, but that fan shroud was not on an engine through the 1974 model year. This leads me to believe the engine was pieced together.

[wonkipop]

EA013495 should be an October 1971 engine, but that fan shroud was not on an engine through the 1974 model year. This leads me to believe the engine was pieced together.

he has a 75 2.0 @davep
not a 74.
see first post by OP.
i think the fan shroud and sticker is likely off the original car since the emission sticker is for a 75 2.0! and also in the correct spot for a 75. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

but you are right. she has been pieced together.
somewhere along the way she has let herself implode.
why not. thats what 914s are for.
the cars are half a century old now!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

mine is about to turn 50 in two weeks time.' with its original engine.
thats never been apart. i'm thinking to myself thats pretty fricken amazing.
how did i get to here with the car and both of us stay relatively intact. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
we both must have paced ourselves. a little too conservatively?
i conclude i have not lived hard enough! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

[nditiz1]

One thought, it could be a 912E case. They never had an engine number from the factory. The Ljet setup was very similar to that of the 914.

I actually have a 914 engine in my 912E, but has the 912E engine shroud. The 912E engine shroud is what held the engine number for the car.

EDIT: missed davep already went over this.

[Junioren]

Missing a couple important details to know what you have and what you should have.

Post photos of the intake manifold to head connection and general engine overall from both sides of the engine bay.
Post a photo of the label on the drivers side engine bay above the relay board.

Thanks Jeff for the info. I post some pictures from all sides.