1991 Can you tell from VIN or engine number....
10-27-2018, 09:50 AM
#3
Race Car
No you can't tell from the VIN
You look at the door and if it was built after nov 1990, in all likelihood it's a late build- and if before, an early build.
But- that's not a given. There have been "late cars" with earlier dates and early cars with much later dates . So you need to look. And even then, when you look at the rear shock towers, and find them to be high, that doesn't mean the rear of the stuff on the car is early and if they are low, you still don't know if you have all the later stuff.
So- generally speaking - nov 1990 - but dates are irrelevant on these cars. The only thing that matters is service history. What's been done, and was it done right.
You look at the door and if it was built after nov 1990, in all likelihood it's a late build- and if before, an early build.
But- that's not a given. There have been "late cars" with earlier dates and early cars with much later dates . So you need to look. And even then, when you look at the rear shock towers, and find them to be high, that doesn't mean the rear of the stuff on the car is early and if they are low, you still don't know if you have all the later stuff.
So- generally speaking - nov 1990 - but dates are irrelevant on these cars. The only thing that matters is service history. What's been done, and was it done right.
10-27-2018, 12:42 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Just look at the engine bottom, if it's leaking at the heads, it's an early car that hasn't been fixed. If not, its fine.
10-27-2018, 04:39 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
No you can't tell from the VIN
You look at the door and if it was built after nov 1990, in all likelihood it's a late build- and if before, an early build.
But- that's not a given. There have been "late cars" with earlier dates and early cars with much later dates . So you need to look. And even then, when you look at the rear shock towers, and find them to be high, that doesn't mean the rear of the stuff on the car is early and if they are low, you still don't know if you have all the later stuff.
So- generally speaking - nov 1990 - but dates are irrelevant on these cars. The only thing that matters is service history. What's been done, and was it done right.
You look at the door and if it was built after nov 1990, in all likelihood it's a late build- and if before, an early build.
But- that's not a given. There have been "late cars" with earlier dates and early cars with much later dates . So you need to look. And even then, when you look at the rear shock towers, and find them to be high, that doesn't mean the rear of the stuff on the car is early and if they are low, you still don't know if you have all the later stuff.
So- generally speaking - nov 1990 - but dates are irrelevant on these cars. The only thing that matters is service history. What's been done, and was it done right.
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10-27-2018, 04:51 PM
#8
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Buy on condition and maintenance history, not on year.
10-28-2018, 10:52 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
FYI
The cut off numbers are engine numbers 62M06837 for the M64.01 engines and 62M52758 for the M64.02 tip engines. You can find the serial number along the side of the fan housing on the right side case half.
I agree that most have been reworked by now but I still come across some that were original. There are a lot of differences between the early and later cars. In many ways we can call the 89-early 91 gen .1 and the later gen .2. This is not uncommon for Porsche. So if the engine is early and has been rebuilt make sure you have a full list of what was done. I have seen many early engines reworked using original parts and have held up fine. The TSB and later engines use different cylinders and pistons and will require machining of the heads. You need to check for replaced head studs as well. I have seen a number of these redone using the original head studs which are one time stretch to yield.
The cut off numbers are engine numbers 62M06837 for the M64.01 engines and 62M52758 for the M64.02 tip engines. You can find the serial number along the side of the fan housing on the right side case half.
I agree that most have been reworked by now but I still come across some that were original. There are a lot of differences between the early and later cars. In many ways we can call the 89-early 91 gen .1 and the later gen .2. This is not uncommon for Porsche. So if the engine is early and has been rebuilt make sure you have a full list of what was done. I have seen many early engines reworked using original parts and have held up fine. The TSB and later engines use different cylinders and pistons and will require machining of the heads. You need to check for replaced head studs as well. I have seen a number of these redone using the original head studs which are one time stretch to yield.
10-28-2018, 01:47 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. I already have the car - and the engine is going to come apart anyway...I'm just collecting baseline data to understand where I'm at with this thing 
For fun, I'll get that number from the engine and post back.
PS - while this engine supposedly received a huge rebuild not so many miles ago - the shop was a known scam shop AND it leaks like crazy from everywhere. Will be interesting when this thing comes apart.
For fun, I'll get that number from the engine and post back.PS - while this engine supposedly received a huge rebuild not so many miles ago - the shop was a known scam shop AND it leaks like crazy from everywhere. Will be interesting when this thing comes apart.
10-29-2018, 09:10 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
Thanks guys. I already have the car - and the engine is going to come apart anyway...I'm just collecting baseline data to understand where I'm at with this thing For fun, I'll get that number from the engine and post back.
PS - while this engine supposedly received a huge rebuild not so many miles ago - the shop was a known scam shop AND it leaks like crazy from everywhere. Will be interesting when this thing comes apart.
For fun, I'll get that number from the engine and post back.PS - while this engine supposedly received a huge rebuild not so many miles ago - the shop was a known scam shop AND it leaks like crazy from everywhere. Will be interesting when this thing comes apart.
Yours is a manual M64.01 so you should be fine. Let us know what you find. There are a lot of things you can do while you're in their.
10-29-2018, 12:25 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
It should be. Can't tell you how many I know paid for this and got that. Or worse needed an oil line replaced and ended up with an engine rebuild.
Yours is a manual M64.01 so you should be fine. Let us know what you find. There are a lot of things you can do while you're in their.
Yours is a manual M64.01 so you should be fine. Let us know what you find. There are a lot of things you can do while you're in their.
my car is a tip, though - for now.... picked up an lsd 5 speed already.
10-29-2018, 04:09 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
So your car was a 5 speed converted to a tip being returned to a 5 speed.
That is one for the threads. I don't think we have had one like this before.So the next question is was this a complete engine tranny swap? It would appear so. If the engine is original you're fine if not then you have a potential concern if it was a full engine tranny swap from another car. It could have the old cylinders if that is the case. Good news is you can buy stock cylinders relatively cheap used and have them reworked to like new for a lot less than new.
I just had a set done.
