My original engine didn't come with the car. I've done some rough calculations based on data from the VIN database and personal communication with a local 914 owner whose VIN is fairly close to mine and has the original engine. Based on my calculations, my closest estimate of my car's original engine is EA0061577. I figured I'd throw it out there to see if anyone has a case that's within 9 of this number either above or below. If so, please let me know. The information would help me to refine my estimate of my car's original engine, and also in case one that's 'date code correct' comes up for sale.

I'd like to see the data you used, it may help my database. These engines were also used in some VW (411/412) so I am sure there are lots of gaps in the 914 serial range. So if you find an engine that is close, make sure it is a 914 engine before purchasing.

I think you may have added and extra "0" in the engine number.

I have an early '73 #2387 Built 9/72 and my engine number is EA063729

So if there is any correlation your car would have to be one of the first 200 built in '73 Is your Vin number 47329002XX ??

Hi Dave,

I didn't know that you had a data base that would be helpful with this kind of determination; terrific! Maybe you can give me insights that are better than what I have. How would one know if an engine is from a 411/412?

My very limited 'research' is explained below.

I'm basing it on info from 3 cars; mine, a car local to me, and the closest one that had info in the VIN data base. The local car was made before mine (I can get the chassis number from him to get the exact day but don't want to bother him for that and his car is undoubtedly in winter storage right now) and Swooshdave's car was made very shortly after mine.

1. My Car:
VIN: 4732900662
Chassis: 3039561
Engine: Unknown
Build date: 8/72

2. Local Car:
VIN: 4732900536
Engine: EA0061433

3. Swooshdave in the VIN database:
VIN: 4732900684
Chassis: 3039568
Engine: EA0061599
Build date: 8/72

Difference in VINs between the Local car and Swooshdave is 148 (684-536)
Difference in Engine numbers is 166 (599-433)
The deviation of the differences between the VINs and engine numbers is 18 (166-148)
So, the engine numbers actually correspond fairly closely to the VINs. Swooshdave’s VIN is 22 after mine. If, and I realize it's a big if due to some of the factors you mention re 411s/412s, the engine numbers corresponded perfectly on that day (based on chassis numbers my car and Swooshdave’s were both made on Wednesday of the 30th week of 72, only 7 cars apart on the line), then subtracting 22 from Swooshdave’s engine number would mean an engine number of EA0061577. Given that the deviation in engine numbers across the Local car and Swooshdave’s VIN-engine number comparisons is 18, and if we then split that 18 (so that's 9 engines from my estimate in either direction), we’d get a range of where my original engine probably fell into of between 568-586.

Hi Tom,

One source had two zeros and the other had one. Based on this link, I figured the single zero source had made an error.... Here's the link:

http://www.bigporsche.com/history914w.htm

Further refining my (statistically unreliable) logic, if the deviation is 18 engine numbers across 148 VINs, then that's an extra engine for every 8.2 914 VINs created (148/18). Given that mine and Swooshdave's cars are 22 VINs apart, then that would give a range of engine numbers of about 3 (22/8.2). So, and again this logic may be totally off, but, given this logic, the probable engine number of my car would be 576, 577, or 578.

I used this data for regression analysis, but the correlation is rather poor. No doubt since there is little data, and since only some EA engines go into the 914, and also EB and GA engines are also installed. Yours came out to 61606. Oh, and they did not use the engines sequentially. My 74 LE from Feb had an OCT engine in it, way out of sequence. I may be able to get a CoA equivalent for your car with the original # if you wanted to try that route.
536 61433
684 61599
749 61789
816 61816
910 61886

Thanks, Dave, that's very cool! I thought I read somewhere that Porsche doesn't do the CoAs anymore, or something significant had changed with them. Any info you have or advice would be most welcome!

Have 411 FI case for my next build,easy to spot them as they have the same dipstick setup as the bus case.

Great to know that all 411/412 engines have the dipstick in the boss down on the front of the engine. Thanks for the info.

If it helps, info for my 1973:

VIN 4732923268
Chassis 2239686
Engine EA0912943 (last digit is off center and very hard to read, could be a 0)
Build May 1973

My 73 1.7 was a late 72 production and its engine # is EB001130