Dating TC engine/ translating engine number

Post by **PHUQ** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:02 pm

Been meaning to do this for a while...

Bought a TC engine for the estate about 18 months back, and I was wondering what age roughly it was. Anyone any ideas? It's original car is long gone- it was extracted from a rotten car for a kit car project that never happened.

The engine number is 18V E-180850

Be interesting to compare to what other folks have & see if we can vaguely date it. I suspect it's relatively early, as it had an inertia- type starter, but I've no idea when that changed.

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:17 pm

OK anorak time, your engine number is actually

18V 408E - H180850

18V = 1800cc Verticle (in line)

408 =
Lucas 16ACR or 17ACR alternator with negative earth
Mechanical fuel pump
Pre-engaged starter motor!!!!!
Centre change gearbox

E = Carb crankcase ventilation

H = High compression

Engine numbers started at 101

I can't tell when the starter motor was switched over.

Post by **PHUQ** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:33 pm

No comment

Cheers Chris, that's great

Quite surprised there's nothing to denote it as a twin carb motor... or was it not originally?

Interesting on the starter motor

dont take anything for granted on a 40yr old engine...

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:37 pm

There is a twin carb indicator in the chassis number. TCs have a "T" in the code .

Post by **PHUQ** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:57 pm

Ahh. Wondered if the engine would have one too...

Chassis number is another matter entirely... Is body type (Coupe/ saloon) covered in the chassis number? Guess it must be.

Would still be interested in where other folks' TC engine numbers are relative to this one, so I can get a very rough date (don't want to know your actual numbers, just "mine is about 2000 less and is 1974" would be ace

).

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:29 pm

Chassis nos.

TC Saloon = MH/4S9T - xxxxxx
TC Coupe = MH/2S9T -xxxxxx

4 = 4 doors (Saloon)
2 = 2 doors (Coupe)

Post by **PHUQ** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:34 pm

Cheers Chris. Now to see if I can get a chassis number...

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:36 pm

The 408E part engine number suggests a single carb engine.

Twin carbs should have a C, F, T, W, X, Y, Z as part of the engine code.

Post by **PHUQ** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:42 pm

That makes a bit more sense, I thought that there should be an identifier in there somewhere. Doesn't bother me either way, it's got the right carbs & manifold at least (and is a high comp, big valve head engine)- just interesting.

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:42 pm

Going for anorak Gold star now. If you come across an engine with codes 641E or 642E then you've got a Police spec engine.

Post by **PHUQ** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:07 pm

You are a very useful person to know Chris, but you do need to get out more

1972TCCOUPE · Post by **1972TCCOUPE** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:13 pm

What was different about the police spec engine Chris?

locost_bryan · Post by **locost_bryan** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:37 pm

Let me muddy the waters...

Looking through the rego data I have for NZ 1800s, I have :-

Engine No. Chassis No. First Reg
18VEH127356 SB28W0169422 23/4/74 (convertible)
18VEH182657 MH45GT81861M 31/5/72
18V247E40668 MH499109807M 7/7/72
18VEH45798 MH4S9S126983M 26/7/72
18VEH48899 MH45912009M 11/7/72
18V247EH9495 MH45927436M 19/4/72

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:14 pm

Can't really tell as none of the engine internals seem to be different, however two other items do. A rear mounted oil filter (not sure what that means) and a heavy duty clutch pack.

Martec · Post by **Martec** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:06 pm

18V F - H13524 was my original TC engine August 1972 (Engine long gone)

Brian

Fast Marina Magazine