engine numbers

[andybell]

I have a 1985 280i and im looking for parts, can anyone tell me how I can find out what year the engine is.
The vin/ chasis numer is TVR 9RFZ 8P5F BDH 1061 and engine number 1449-29.
I would appreciate any feedback
Many Thanks
Andy.

[wedg1e]

Probably 84/85 then: TVR didn't use Ford's engine numbers, they stamped their own,so if the block has what's on the chassis plate, it'll be the original engine. Also I guess they didn't like to have cars lying around unsold, so if the car was registered post-February 85 it's a fair bet the engine wasn't lying around the factory for a year before being put into the chassis (pre-Feb or so it would have been in build around the end of 84 so probably an 84 engine).
Unfortunately 85 was the changeover year for Ford when the unleaded-ready heads were introduced on the 2.8, so you might have them, you might not.
To check, get your head down into the engine bay, front left of the block, just below the head gasket. You should find the engine number there and, on an adjacent flat space, the code 'PR' indicating the 2.8 V6. If it's followed by a D or E, it has unleaded heads (ie. PR D or PR E).

HTH

[andybell]

Thanks Wedg1e
I forgot to mention I am in the US, so I guess I do have the unleaded head. I posted this on the TVR in USA forum but got no response there. I was trying to find what car they used that engine in over here, which I was told was the Mercury Capri but they stopped making them in 74 from what I can see...... I guess I will just have to buy parts in the UK and have them mailed over....can you recommend anyone ?
Thanks again
Andy

[s.hogan3]

if you take the rocker covers of thay normal have the last to no of the year the heads were made
allso if your engine has hex head bolts then its not a unleaded engine the unleaded engines had internal torks bolts
even if some one says you can us unleaded i would not as these engines have no valve harded inserts and even the unleaded engines have only got hardend seats and no insert ford req for the unleaded engine that every 4 fill up you put leaded in
ive got a ford workshop book on engine numbers somewere if you have the ford engine no
i can look for you

[grahamw48]

andybell said:

Thanks Wedg1e
I forgot to mention I am in the US, so I guess I do have the unleaded head. I posted this on the TVR in USA forum but got no response there. I was trying to find what car they used that engine in over here, which I was told was the Mercury Capri but they stopped making them in 74 from what I can see...... I guess I will just have to buy parts in the UK and have them mailed over....can you recommend anyone ?
Thanks again
Andy

There are several Ford Capri owners clubs over here, so try googling for them, as they'll have a lot of useful info' and links concerning the engine/gearbox, and spares.

The 'Mercury' Capri was the earlier model, known here as the MK1 incidentally.
You need the MK3 Capri.

[wedg1e]

s.hogan3 said:

if you take the rocker covers of thay normal have the last to no of the year the heads were made
allso if your engine has hex head bolts then its not a unleaded engine the unleaded engines had internal torks bolts
even if some one says you can us unleaded i would not as these engines have no valve harded inserts and even the unleaded engines have only got hardend seats and no insert ford req for the unleaded engine that every 4 fill up you put leaded in
ive got a ford workshop book on engine numbers somewere if you have the ford engine no
i can look for you

I did several thousand miles in my Tasmin with u/l heads and no sign of recessed seats or loss of compression; TVRs advice at the time (late 90s) was that post-85 heads were OK on u/l permanently. Presumably Ford told them to say that

[andybell]

Thanks everyone,
1. Surely if the car is in the US it is set up for unleaded ? thats all they sell here so I hope so
2.Will check out the capri club...never thought of that !!
3.CMON England !!!!!!!!
Andy

native Brummy~ transplanted to Florida

[taimar78]

Andy,
All the Tasmin/280i cars that were shipped to the US were set up for unleaded fuel. Some were retrofitted with hardened valve seats, which I suspect, your car was, based on the serial number.
I had sent you a previous e-mail off line but I dont know whether you got it.
You had asked in another post about exhaust gaskets for your engine. I have them in stock (I purchased the TVR parts business in the US recently). If you'll e-mail me ([e-mail]) with a list of items you are seeking, I'll do my best to accommodate you.
Marshall