Where's my engine number? Any offers please as I can't find it

[BartonStag]

Hi all,
I'm trying to locate my engine number, the engines out on a stand so I have complete access. The car was made in October 1974 and is "N" registered. It came with a Heritage Certificate stating the engine number as: LF/28173 - HE. I've looked at the back of the block assuming it's a "late" engine - nothing. I've also checked the block on the L/H side between the two rear cylinders as I gather that's where early engines were stamped - again nothing. In fact i'm looking all over it and can't find any numbers. The cylinder heads are MK2 based on the casting numbers (relevant or not i'm not sure). Any one have any idea where the numbers might be please - surely it must have been stamped somewhere at some point??
Not the end of the world I know but I was wondering if the car still had it's original engine that's all.
Any pointers as ever greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Gord

[barkerwilliams]

My N reg engine number is located distributor'ish, between distributor and bell housing.

Alan

[NeilR]

I have a similar situation.
I was told it could be block that was rejected by the factory for some reason.

But, when I acquired this engine 11 years ago, I was told it was a good un.
Stripping down, a first crank grind, a new set of pistons, timing chains, valves lapped in & very slight skim to clean the head faces was all that was needed.

Over 10 years & 20,000 miles further on, still very good oil pressure, no smoke, no clatter / rattles & runs really well.
So, as I was suggested to do, I'll leave it as is and not worry about it.

Neil.

[DJT]

It should be on top of the rear flange where the adaptor plate fits. Between the cylinder heads, but closer the RH one. I’ve managed to find this photo online:

0E6B4EF4-E97A-4D4F-A89E-B02A4627B521.jpeg

[The_PPA]

I'd suggest a can of WD40 / Gunk and some cloth as it can get covered in crap.

Also, if there is no number where that number is above - then it is quite possible they've got a rebuilt / recon engine in there and rather than re-stamp with the original number to disguse that then they've left blank.

I've seen a few engine numbers which are stamped, but not in a good clean line, that make me think they've been re-stamped to match rather than original.

Matt

[dasadrew]

https://www.socforum.com/forum/forum/stag-owners-club/soc-forum/20489-the-engine-thread/page2

Post 55 in "The Engine Thread"

[NeilR]

No it isn't on my block.

I searched high & low when it was just bare block 11 years ago, no number anywhere & no sign of it having been ground off either.

It definately ISN'T in either of the usual places.

Neil.

[BartonStag]

Hi all, apologies for not responding to member's post, but just kept getting the "malware" warning on the site every time I went to check in. So .... thanks as ever for the said responses, however my numbers are not in the usual places as highlighted in the photos (special thanks to DJT & Drew for taking the time to post them BTW). Suspect like NeilR i'll just have to go without!!
Drew - fabulous information with the link you posted - thanks for that, i'll definately have to re-visit for further info. Showing my ignorance where/how exactly do I find your rebuild on the forum or any similar postings from members?
Thanks again all
Cheers
Gord

[dasadrew]

Hi all, apologies for not responding to member's post, but just kept getting the "malware" warning on the site every time I went to check in. So .... thanks as ever for the said responses, however my numbers are not in the usual places as highlighted in the photos (special thanks to DJT & Drew for taking the time to post them BTW). Suspect like NeilR i'll just have to go without!!
Drew - fabulous information with the link you posted - thanks for that, i'll definately have to re-visit for further info. Showing my ignorance where/how exactly do I find your rebuild on the forum or any similar postings from members?
Thanks again all
Cheers
Gord

You'll find all sorts of info about restorations in the "Restorations" section of the Forum. My particular one is entitled "The White Blue Bavarian Stag".

https://www.socforum.com/forum/forum/stag-owners-club/restorations-major-overhauls-conversions-modified-stags/8258-the-white-blue-bavarian-stag

[JOHNS]

Hi all, apologies for not responding to member's post, but just kept getting the "malware" warning on the site every time I went to check in. So .... thanks as ever for the said responses, however my numbers are not in the usual places as highlighted in the photos (special thanks to DJT & Drew for taking the time to post them BTW). Suspect like NeilR i'll just have to go without!!
Drew - fabulous information with the link you posted - thanks for that, i'll definately have to re-visit for further info. Showing my ignorance where/how exactly do I find your rebuild on the forum or any similar postings from members?
Thanks again all
Cheers
Gord

Gord if you look in the Restoration section under "1978 Stag Restoration" you will see my restoration project. If you cast your mind back I bought a pair of sills and a front headlamp panel from you a few years ago. They are now in my car.

Cheers

John

[BartonStag]

Drew and John thanks for the guidance, i'll be interested to follow your experiences . Yep I remember John - i'll have a look at them now!!
Cheers
Gord

[Roy_S]

So found this thread while searching for the position of the engine number. My V5 document just states LFHE and speaking to DVLA it wasn't a misprint as their information states the same.
Car is a 77 S reg and registered Aug 77.
I've looked along the edge of the block between cylinders 6/8 on the LH side and on top at the bulkhead by the distributor, that area was dirty but clearing away using a screwdriver showed nothing.
I could apply for a heritage certificate but without finding it on the actual engine probably pointless.
I do have receipts for Tony Hart replacing the crank in 2003 in the history file and a service a few hundred miles later but no reference to the engine number. Interesting that all the work was done and yet hardly 2000 miles put on the car before I bought it two years later in 2005. I did speak to Tony when I originally bought the car which he remembered, I think the owner was a friend of his, owner before that had owned it for 5 years.
Any other locations to look at?

[flying farmer]

The engine number was probably too faint to read so they just registered it as LFHE, the prefix and suffix with no numbers. My 76 stag has exactly the same on its log book, though I did actually find the number when I had the engine out for a rebuild. No idea whether it is the original engine.

Neil

[Roy_S]

Thanks Neil, I'll take another look using the endoscope I have after cleaning along the LH block edge, where did you find the number in the end?