Ned, if your engine still has its serial number plate, and the number
matches your VIN and body numbers, I think you can safely assume that the
engine is original, especially if the plate is is chewed up. I would have
more doubts if the serial plate looked pristine.
As far as the generator mount is concerned, those are easily changed. And
my car originally (when I got it, anyway) had a square-nose water pump, but
when I replaced it the one I received was the conical one which took a
different belt.
There were a few detail changes to the engines during the Mk III production
run, as identified in Clausager's book; but the evidence I have collected
for BJ8 production details makes me have little confidence that the factory
scrupulously observed the design change points during assembly of either the
cars or engines.
Steve Byers
HBJ8L/36666
BJ8 Registry
Havelock, NC USA
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-healeys@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-healeys@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Ned Smith
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 3:47 PM
To: Austin-Healey List
Subject: Is Mine Really the Right Engine?
My BJ8 has number H-BJ8-U/42685 on the firewall tag.
The number on the ID tag on the engine is 29K-RU-H/17244 but the tag looks
crumpled. This is the same number on the Heritage certificate.
But the generator mount is for an earlier car and the pulley on the water
pump is for a 3/8" belt.
Are there any other distinguishing characteristics that could not be altered
that would give the exact age of the engine?
Thanks,
Ned Smith
BJ8
near Chattanooga, TN
N34.98 W85.5
|