Dodgy Engine Numbers?

[Griff4.0]

I can't say I've ever looked at the engine number on my car in the fifteen years that I've owned it. The other day I was working in the left front wheel housing and saw the number on the side of the block. After a bit of a clean the number became clear - the problem is that there were two numbers. In larger font was the engine number for (after much research) a Morgan plus 8 - starting 47A001 and over this (I'm assuming the other number was first) was stamped the TVR number in a smaller font but perfectly aligned with the other number - starting 47A40P

After all these years have I discovered I've got a dodgy engine or is there a less worrying explanation?

[PeteGriff]

Griff4.0 said:

I can't say I've ever looked at the engine number on my car in the fifteen years that I've owned it. The other day I was working in the left front wheel housing and saw the number on the side of the block. After a bit of a clean the number became clear - the problem is that there were two numbers. In larger font was the engine number for (after much research) a Morgan plus 8 - starting 47A001 and over this (I'm assuming the other number was first) was stamped the TVR number in a smaller font but perfectly aligned with the other number - starting 47A40P

After all these years have I discovered I've got a dodgy engine or is there a less worrying explanation?

As the RV8 was used in the Morgan also, it is quite feasible that TVR had some blocks that were either of Morgan origin or destined for them and then used by TVR's, putting the correct number over it! Just a thought.

[Loubaruch]

I do not think you need worry, if the engine had a dubious past the numbers would have been ground off, as PG said most likely a completely straightforward reason.

[loud430]

mines also got an overstamped number (94 430 chim) someone on the wedge forum said his was as well.

[Stewiegriffin]

I was responsible for dispatching all v8 engines from Lamd Rover to TVR power. All engines had the 47 a prefix when they left my area.

[BarnFind]

Stewiegriffin said:

I was responsible for dispatching all v8 engines from Lamd Rover to TVR power. All engines had the 47 a prefix when they left my area.

Ah Ha,If you wait long enough someone you want to ask a question of,pops their head up.probably should have asked Dom this question last time I was up at Power,Years ago I was up at Powers engine shop,mid Wedge period and I remember one of the engine builders telling me that TVR bought all the rejects off the line.The one he was working on had come down the line minus its pistons. correct or is my mind playing me false ?

[V8 GRF]

The rejects thing is rubbish.

TVR bought their engines direct from Rover and as they bought small quantities in comparison to other manufacturers they were supplied with blocks manufactured originally for other manufacturers such as Morgan.

All TVR RV8 engines have two numbers stamped on the block. The original block number stamped at the foundry and the other one added by TVR Power when they built the engine.

IIRC the Morgan number is stamped on the side of the block under the exhaust manifold with the TVR number on the front.

[Griff4.0]

Thanks for the replies, I'm feeling a bit more relaxed about this now but I wish that TVR had ground down the original number before applying their own. It would have saved a lot of worrying many years down the line.

[Stewiegriffin]

V8 GRF said:

The rejects thing is rubbish.

TVR bought their engines direct from Rover and as they bought small quantities in comparison to other manufacturers they were supplied with blocks manufactured originally for other manufacturers such as Morgan.

All TVR RV8 engines have two numbers stamped on the block. The original block number stamped at the foundry and the other one added by TVR Power when they built the engine.

IIRC the Morgan number is stamped on the side of the block under the exhaust manifold with the TVR number on the front.

Indeed, the reject thing is twaddle. As well as the despatch controller I was also the V8 build planner and was responsible for the build sequencing of all V8 including those to all 3rd parties which included TVR, Morgan, Ginetta, LDV, JE engineering and Marcos. There were others but they were very small numbers.

I must correct V8 GRF if I may as the engine numbers were applied at Solihull, not at the foundry. The process was that as I sequenced engines I also printed the engine cards which generated the engine number. These cards were issued to the line and the engine number was applied to the block at launch.

From memory very early blocks were hand stamped with a punch set. Later units were laser etched, I think this coincided with cross bolted mains.

[Hoover.]

^^^^^^ I love the internet


would never get this from letters to the factory........... Thank you for still keeping your interest in a marck still loved my many

[Stewiegriffin]

All the contact with the factory and chance to drive a very early ocean haze car (might be FFG's?) got under my skin and I went on to buy a 500. I miss these days very much as they were very formative and just really great fun.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Probably was mine. I recognise that car (I think) - used to be Russ Bradleys, who also worked in the automotive industry around the Solihull area, ending up at BMW last time I heard from him.
I'm near Redditch so not far away and happy to give you another run out at some point - I'm not selling so no rush! Will obviously be at the Griff Growl 4-6th July at Ettington near Stratford.

Just looked at your profile and I'm fairly sure you came to the Growl in the 635 a couple of years ago an put it on the rolling road.
FFG

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Thursday 22 May 10:31

[BarnFind]

Stewiegriffin said:

Indeed, the reject thing is twaddle. As well as the despatch controller I was also the V8 build planner and was responsible for the build sequencing of all V8 including those to all 3rd parties which included TVR, Morgan, Ginetta, LDV, JE engineering and Marcos. There were others but they were very small numbers.

I must correct V8 GRF if I may as the engine numbers were applied at Solihull, not at the foundry. The process was that as I sequenced engines I also printed the engine cards which generated the engine number. These cards were issued to the line and the engine number was applied to the block at launch.

From memory very early blocks were hand stamped with a punch set. Later units were laser etched, I think this coincided with cross bolted mains.

Thanks for straightening that out.The assumption of the rejects must have been mine.Would it still have been possible for an engine to arrive at TVR minus its pistons as i remember that part of the conversation well.

Edited by BarnFind on Thursday 22 May 10:52

[Stewiegriffin]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Probably was mine. I recognise that car (I think) - used to be Russ Bradleys, who also worked in the automotive industry around the Solihull area, ending up at BMW last time I heard from him.
I'm near Redditch so not far away and happy to give you another run out at some point - I'm not selling so no rush! Will obviously be at the Griff Growl 4-6th July at Ettington near Stratford.

Just looked at your profile and I'm fairly sure you came to the Growl in the 635 a couple of years ago an put it on the rolling road.
FFG

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Thursday 22 May 10:31

Hello Paul, This is Russ Bradley but I changed my PH name a few years back. Glad to see your still depleting the Ozone layer in impeccable style. A while back I came to the growl in a Lotus Sunbeam and another time in my 330 convertible. Only had the e24 a year so not myself.

I may have seen your good self on the a435 on Saturday at around 1 pm. I'm in Earlswood now so we should grab a beer sometime.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Stewiegriffin said:

Hello Paul, This is Russ Bradley but I changed my PH name a few years back. Glad to see your still depleting the Ozone layer in impeccable style. A while back I came to the growl in a Lotus Sunbeam and another time in my 330 convertible. Only had the e24 a year so not myself.

I may have seen your good self on the a435 on Saturday at around 1 pm. I'm in Earlswood now so we should grab a beer sometime.

Hi Russ, thought it might have been you but the amount of months you've had the name put me off. Twas me on the 435, just picked the car up from having the pulley wobble sorted so wanted to give it a a spin. Went into Knowle (like the close shops and popping and banging down the high street) and back.
Good shout on the beer. Always fancied going that place with the attached curry house on the A435 which is about half way, opposite the petrol station. Heard the curry is good!
FFG

[Stewiegriffin]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Hi Russ, thought it might have been you but the amount of months you've had the name put me off. Twas me on the 435, just picked the car up from having the pulley wobble sorted so wanted to give it a a spin. Went into Knowle (like the close shops and popping and banging down the high street) and back.
Good shout on the beer. Always fancied going that place with the attached curry house on the A435 which is about half way, opposite the petrol station. Heard the curry is good!
FFG

I was in the grey BMW 4 series convertible with a very red leather interior.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Stewiegriffin said:

I was in the grey BMW 4 series convertible with a very red leather interior.

Russ,
Not a big BM fan so was probably calling you some expletives, unless you were in the left lane. Sorry, didn't see you.
FFG