Engine number missing - is it a problem?

Post by **tingo** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:57 pm

Hi all, I'm new to classic cars. I've been to see a minor which has no engine number tag. The seller appears honest & genuine and all other paperwork is in order. He suggested it may be a re-conditioned engine.

Would you walk away from a car with no engine number tag, or is it common in old minors? Any advice gratefully received.

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:00 pm

Perfectly common.They get removed when the block is skimmed, so yeah, probably a rebuild

Post by **tingo** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:10 pm

Thanks bg

Post by **Willie** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:35 am

The clue would be that the two rivets which originally fitted the engine number strip have been sheared off FLUSH, i.e. there are not two holes where they were. This would reinforce the theory that the block has been faced off prior to a rebore.

Post by **tingo** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:14 pm

Thanks Willie. I could see the two flush rivets, and the surface was shiny (after a quick wipe with a rag).

Post by **smh582003** » Mon May 05, 2008 3:21 pm

You can get them made up from a company called minimail.
They have to be reverse stamped. I had a hell of a job to put it on . I tried to drill the block but it was almost impossible so in the end I cut the rivet heads off and then araldited the plate to the block and then the same with the rivet heads.
Here is their website.
http://www.minimail.co.uk/products.jsp?q=engine
Steve

Post by **Willie** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:16 pm

The studs holding the engine number are not rivets, they are just studs with slightly twisted grooves in them. They are easily removed if you use a very thin blade (an old wood chisel is ideal) to tap under the head to start them off.

Post by **smh582003** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:36 pm

Well I'm not a techie type person so I did my best and I think it looks quite good.