Engine Number!

[peterpimlico]

After reading the thread (Engine ID), I checked my own engine number as seen on the 'alli. riveted plate' attached to the block. Unfortunately I can't relate this number to any source of reference! Can anyone give me any idea as to what these letters/numbers refer to, ie age, type etc. .......... RK M1121E 15274 ...... All I know is that my engine is a 1098 c.c. that replaced a 948c.c. engine in my Traveller (early 1962), at some time in its history.
Regards .......... Peter

[brucek]

Mmm - it is possible that your unit is a factory reconditioned engine - sometimes referred to as a 'gold seal' or possibly 'silver seal' engine. This is a unit which, at some stage in its life, was returned to Morris engines for a full refurbishment and rebuild and was then sold on as a replacement. It is certainly possible if, as you say, it replaced an original 948 unit.

From memory, the engine numbers used on gold and silver seal engines bore little or no resemblance to the original engine numbers either in layout or similar use of appropriate numbers - possibly so that they could not be confused with a standard original engine. Pretty sure these engine numbers are not logged anywhere either so it would be hard to check for sure.

One way checking if it is a gold/silver seal unit is to look closely at the engine and see if you can spot any gold or silver paint on the block or head itself. Try areas towards the back of the engine where any wear and tear will have been protected by the oil and grot and the various exterior engine parts such as the dizzy. I have only ever had an 803cc gold seal unit but can't remember its number so maybe someone else who has a gold seal unit can weigh in with a view?

[PSL184]

Correct..... "RKM" numbers are factory recon units. The numbers following relate to job number and size of overbore etc but the records for these don't exist so no way of telling any more detail from the number alone.....

[peterpimlico]

Thanks gentlemen! Yes, the block is painted silver, so I guess it is a works 'short 'reconditioned engine. What is likely to have been done on a silver recon. engine? Crankshaft?
Regards ......... Peter

[brucek]

The Silver Seal unit will have been a short engine - block only - so the owner can add their own head, sump and ancillaries from the original engine.

More info - admittedly from a mini source, so all the data refers to transverse engines - can be found here below. The principle and codes appear to be the same though.

http://www.calverst.com/articles/Eng-en ... n_data.htm

[IaininTenbury]

I don't think it worked like that. I've got a Silver Seal full engine with Silver Seal badge onthe rocker cover where the Morris badge would have been, so not a short engine. I understood that a Gold Seal was fully reconditioned to as new ie rebore, reground crank etc, but a Silver Seal was a cheaper rebuild, presumably on engines that needed less work so they could be brought up to standard for less money, ie possibly hone and rings, polish crank and new bearings. I mean theres no point in regrinding a crank if the exixting one is within tolerances.
I may be wrong, but thats how I understood it. Bit acedemic now as they're all old engines. My Silver Seal is a bit rattly on a cold start, so getting a little tired these days.

[customjob]

RKM or GSE denotes it's a Unipart engine this referencing came into being after bl sold off it's parts service and formed Unipart.

The E referance denotes it's a factory recon unit, a SILVER block means it is a short engine only and customer ancilaries to be put back on. A GOLD engine denotes it's a fully reconditioned factory unit.

L denotes low compression H is high compression

We all know i think about first numbers 9 10 12 13 for those who don't it equates to engine cc.

If you are lucky enough to have a P in the number then it's a police spec.

easy way to get info is just enter i e 12G202 or 12G497 in a search engine and it'll pull up details relating.

[IaininTenbury]

So how does that explain my silver seal engine with head and rocker cover with sticker? It would appear that you could certainly have had a complete Silver Seal engine, but what the actual difference was i'm not sure.....

[Neil MG]

Iain, maybe you got a sticker with the short engine to put on the rocker cover?

[IaininTenbury]

Well it was all the same silver paint all over. I know anyone can paint an engine silver or gold, but the proper ones have a distinctive finish and tersture thats hard to fake, and I know its history - it came from a scrapped Marina in the early 90s and I've had it since. Not a background were an enthusiastic owner was likely to clean it all up and paint it...

[IaininTenbury]

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... al#p179515

Subject seems to have been discussed before and at least one person agrees with me that the difference between silver and gold seal is the standard and degree of rebuilding not how much engine you got!

I mean, lets think about it, why couldn't you have a top notch factory rebuilt short engine - in which case a Gold Seal short engine, or even just a Gold seal head. I'm certain such things existed. Also consider it from the production point of view. Why waste time, fully rebuilding an engine thats come in as an exchange, when say the carnkshaft may be perfect and its just worn pistons and rings. It makes much sense to offer an engine thats been dismantled inspected and built up to factory spec with new parts as req, as a cheaper more affordable price which would compete better with local engine reconditioners, and then with the really worn out engines do a full regrind,bore new everyhting rebuild on those and sell them as more expensive Gold seal. engines. Presumably the warranty differed as well.
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