Engine Numbers

[uncle fester]

Does anyone know how to tell the date an engine block was made by Rover from the engine number?

[Roberto Rica]

Don't know - but I think there are two engine numbers, the original Rover one and then TVR's own number.


Rob

[uncle fester]

Roberto Rica said:

Don't know - but I think there are two engine numbers, the original Rover one and then TVR's own number.


Rob

Which is the one in the log book, Rover or TVR?

I have heard that if the engine block was made before cats became compulsory, then the car can legally be de-catted and MOTed to pre-cat emissions standard.
Can anyone confirm this?
Not sure, but the loophole may be if the car has had a replacement engine from an earlier car.
If this is true then a lot of people will want to check their number.

[Roberto Rica]

I understood that it was when the chassis was registered not the engine.

Rob

[The AJP Griff]

uncle fester said:

Roberto Rica said:

Don't know - but I think there are two engine numbers, the original Rover one and then TVR's own number.


Rob

Which is the one in the log book, Rover or TVR?

I have heard that if the engine block was made before cats became compulsory, then the car can legally be de-catted and MOTed to pre-cat emissions standard.
Can anyone confirm this?
Not sure, but the loophole may be if the car has had a replacement engine from an earlier car.
If this is true then a lot of people will want to check their number.

I was told something similar when i was tuning mine,but apparently you will also need an SVA test to get the earlier engine through?

[shpub]

It's a lot of misinterpretation.

The MOT rules state

"Test according to which is older, engine or vehicle.
e.g. A 1995 car fitted with a 1991 engine (of whatever make), test to 1991 standards for emission purposes.

Note: The onus is on the vehicle presenter
to prove engine age."

Suitable proof is the V5 from the original engine/car not when the block or other parts of the engine were made.
When someone bought my old wedge engine they needed a copy of this info for this reason so that they didn't need to have cats for the kit car they were building. Block or sequence numbers were not acceptable. They had to prove when the engine had been first used in a car as this was its age.

[Guillotine]

shpub said:

It's a lot of misinterpretation.

The MOT rules state

"Test according to which is older, engine or vehicle.
e.g. A 1995 car fitted with a 1991 engine (of whatever make), test to 1991 standards for emission purposes.

Note: The onus is on the vehicle presenter
to prove engine age."

Suitable proof is the V5 from the original engine/car not when the block or other parts of the engine were made.
When someone bought my old wedge engine they needed a copy of this info for this reason so that they didn't need to have cats for the kit car they were building. Block or sequence numbers were not acceptable. They had to prove when the engine had been first used in a car as this was its age.

as steve says.

my car has a Challenge engine in, which is pre-cat. so my car (a 94 Griff) does not need cats for the MOT.where it used to as std. to prove this, you can contact the Heritage centre at gaydon, who will issue a letter dating your engine.

basically 46a = Cat 47a = non cat.

the will charge about £15 for the letter.
mines been ok for two years now. passed straight away with the letter. I also had a photcopy of the MOT manual where it states wot Steve said.

andy
tvrmonster.com

[Uncle Fester]

Guillotine said:

shpub said:

It's a lot of misinterpretation.

The MOT rules state

"Test according to which is older, engine or vehicle.
e.g. A 1995 car fitted with a 1991 engine (of whatever make), test to 1991 standards for emission purposes.

Note: The onus is on the vehicle presenter
to prove engine age."

Suitable proof is the V5 from the original engine/car not when the block or other parts of the engine were made.
When someone bought my old wedge engine they needed a copy of this info for this reason so that they didn't need to have cats for the kit car they were building. Block or sequence numbers were not acceptable. They had to prove when the engine had been first used in a car as this was its age.

as steve says.

my car has a Challenge engine in, which is pre-cat. so my car (a 94 Griff) does not need cats for the MOT.where it used to as std. to prove this, you can contact the Heritage centre at gaydon, who will issue a letter dating your engine.

basically 46a = Cat 47a = non cat.

the will charge about £15 for the letter.
mines been ok for two years now. passed straight away with the letter. I also had a photcopy of the MOT manual where it states wot Steve said.

andy
tvrmonster.com

My engine is a 500 Serp. The engine number starts 47A. The engine is original to the car. The number in the Owners Handbook, V5 and on the block all match. The car was registered November 94.

If I understand correctly, despite having a pre-cat engine number, my exhaust and I are to remain legally stuffed. This letter won’t help me. 

Is it the ‘production records certificate’ or the ‘heritage certificate’, or a different letter you use?

Can anyone think of a way to get around this?

[Guillotine]

not sure. you have a pre-cat, installed after cat date, so the car has to have cats.

if you had replaced with that engine, then no cats. Bummer.

if you can convince the MOT station that you have changed this engine, then you should be OK.

andy
tvrmonster

[dnb]

Just seen the engine number on my engine. Another 47A, and going in my 96 Griff 500. Maybe I can save the money on cats...