I'm having a hard time getting a picture of it, but I finally checked and I my engine is M28/41 81H 00088. Anyone got one lower than that?

Another difference in early S4s pointed out to me several years ago was the intake manifold. The area around the flappy valve on mine is smooth, later S4s have several ribs on either side (I think?). Maybe there's a cooling problem that caused early flappies to stick? I don't have a picture of a later S4 handy, but here's a picture of mine:

 

I just found an engine with squirters, just for my curiosity would an S4 87 motor be worth $1500 in the U.S?

Cheers Greg

 

I believe only first hundred cars had this early style intake. Perhaps first 800 or so if ROW cars are also counted. There must have been some pretty serious issue factory was trying to fix as changing casting mold is something they would try to avoid if possible.

 

If there are no big problems with that engine, I think $1500 is a good price. I'd buy one for that.

 

Based on the numbers it appears that I have a squirter:
VIN 0870
Date 11/86
M28/42
81H06165

Looks like I'm unique… just like everyone else around here!

 

I'm confused now. My Vin serial number is 0125, build date of 07/86. The vin on my motor is M28/42 81H 05206. Does this sound like the block was replaced at some time? For having such an early S4, I thought my engine vin would be lower. I also have a smooth intake at the flappy cap.

 

James, automatic engine numbering started from 5000. Yours is 206th. Not too much out of line compared to 65th US chassis, Porsche had made about same amount of ROW also making total cars done by that date over 100. Infact probably just right as some early engines must have been used during development and some were build as spares. Two separate engine number sequences, one for 5sp cars and other for automatic, is confusing.

Your car is very early production as normally first build dates are in July, not June. Possibly factory didn't want to build old S models as they would be obsolite over night when first test drives showed up in magazines.

 

Thanks dude. I new something didn't sound right at first.

 

To keep the bulk of this info in one place I am closing my previous thread and if anyone has anything to add to the oil squirters subject, please do it here. There is already a wealth of info.

Thanks.

 

Cool, subscribed

 

VIN is WP0ZZZ92ZH5840913 - sorry for the slight delay replying

 

I think I just found my new favourite colour scheme for the 928!

Joel

 

Cool

I just bought the '87 S4 with engine 81H00675 - so it has squirters

Its a RHD manual non-sunroof '87

Can't be having more than one 928 in pieces and the new one will need TBWP, Intake, MM's and pan gasket (so I can check for the squirters while the pan's off)! Now I need to put my '89's gearbox, suspension and brakes back on before the new one gets here!

 

I will try to find the engine number on mine after SITM, it is my understanding that it is the highest number USA auto with a known squirter block, if that will help.

 

Nice photo Greg.

The auto engine sequence is very different so won't help much. However given my engine is less than the factory-specified highest manual-gearbox engine, I'm 99% sure it has squirters.

Will check when I have the pan off and can poke an inspection mirror up there - your pic is very helpful in knowing where to look