Tii engine number mystery

[RenaissanceMan]

My '74 tii project apparently has a different motor than the original. But what is strange is the number does not come up as any matching VIN num. Am I wrong in assuming the original motor numbers should always match the chassis? The number on the block is 2761877, but if I enter that in realoem.com nothing comes up... Does that make any sense at all? Pic is attached, and you can clearly see the 7 digits. 

 

Another strange 'feature' of this motor is that it has the early plastic runners, which if I understand correctly would never have come on a motor from a '74. I wonder if any early tii owners would be interested in them... Are they a direct swap for the later runners? Manifold the same?

Edited May 1, 2019 by RenaissanceMan

[Conserv]

RealOEM.com, even using the Classic catalog, does not recognize ‘02 VIN’s before the 1974 model year.

 

VIN 2761877 is/was a 1972 model U.S.-spec tii manufactured in late May 1972.  It was, and obviously still is, a 121-head car with plastic intake runners, whereas the first U.S.-spec E12-head car — with aluminum runners — was VIN 2761944 (early June 1972).

 

BMW Group Archives can provide VIN 2761877’s manufacturing date (info.grouparchiv@bmwgroup.com) and you can readily see the block’s casting date on the block and the head’s casting date on the head.

 

 

The plastic runners fit different manifolds than the aluminum runners; you’d have to swap more than just the runners.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by Conserv

[RenaissanceMan]

21 minutes ago, Conserv said:

RealOEM.com, even using the Classic catalog, does not recognize ‘02 VIN’s before the 1974 model year.

 

VIN 2761877 is/was a 1972 model U.S.-spec tii manufactured in May 1972.  It was, and obviously still is, a 121-head car with plastic intake runners, whereas the first U.S.-spec E12-head car — with aluminum runners — being VIN 2761944 (early June 1972).

 

BMW Group Archives can provide the car’s manufacturing date (info.grouparchiv@bmwgroup.com) and you can readily see the block’s casting date on the block and the head’s casting date on the head.

 

Steve, thank you so much for the helpful info! I had no idea realoem didn't go back to pre-74 vin numbers.

 

I'm really curious what you (or anyone else) thinks the implications would be with regards to the value if this car fully-restored... Is the non-matching motor a complete value-killer for a tii? 

[Conserv]

7 hours ago, RenaissanceMan said:

 

I'm really curious what you (or anyone else) thinks the implications would be with regards to the value if this car fully-restored... Is the non-matching motor a complete value-killer for a tii? 

 

 

It is certainly not a complete value killer. But I’d guess that a matching-number tii has some premium built into its price to reflect an original engine, perhaps 5% at best. I’d probably say the same thing about tii’s that wear their original body color, but COOP’s gorgeous former ‘72 tii was color-changed from Sahara to Baikal metallic — beautifully, I must note — and obviously the premium associated with a rare and stunning color was greater than any “demerit” for lack of original color.

 

So I guess the real answer is “it depends”: features, condition, and attractiveness may make the non-matching engine completely insignificant (e.g., if your car has a snorkel, get rid of it). ?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by Conserv

[Cruzr]

What is the VIN number stamped on the right fender? Someone might have the engine matching that number.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

Edited May 1, 2019 by Cruzr

[RenaissanceMan]

1 hour ago, Cruzr said:

What is the VIN number stamoed on the right fender? Someone might have the engine matching that number.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

 

2781386 is the vin of the car.

[Cruzr]

FWIW, try to keep the tii engine intact if you can. I've been looking for the owner of 2780729, as I have its engine.

 

I know it's a long shot, as many of these tii's are gone, but it's worth a try.

[RenaissanceMan]

3 minutes ago, Cruzr said:

FWIW, try to keep the tii engine intact if you can. I've been looking for the owner of 2780729, as I have its engine.

 

I know it's a long shot, as many of these tii's are gone, but it's worth a try.

 

Absolutely. Sure would be cool to find the original motor for mine or even the original chassis for this motor.

[NYNick]

Steve is correct as usual. It depends. If your car is brilliant in every other way, it would depend less. If it just adds to the list of things to pick it apart, it would depend more. Either way, you've got a tii. 

 

Nice!

[02Les]

2761877

Car was for sale in the Oct 2002 Roundel magazine & was in NJ.

Stated as White with Black interior & 318i FI on tii block, 5 spd, LSD & upgr susp.

[RenaissanceMan]

1 hour ago, 02Les said:

2761877

Car was for sale in the Oct 2002 Roundel magazine & was in NJ.

Stated as White with Black interior & 318i FI on tii block, 5 spd, LSD & upgr susp.

 

Ah, very cool, thanks for sharing!

[Conserv]

2 hours ago, 02Les said:

2761877

Car was for sale in the Oct 2002 Roundel magazine & was in NJ.

Stated as White with Black interior & 318i FI on tii block, 5 spd, LSD & upgr susp.

 

If only your engine could speak, it would have a good story to tell! Casting date on your block? 121 head I presume? Casting date?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Gordon]

My 74 tii also has a 72 tii motor in it, 2762096 bought from Jeff Ireland in 2003.  Jeff parted out a rusty tii that was imported from the midwest to So Cal.  I had Jack Fahuna rebuild the motor to Euro tii specs (9:5.1 comp ratio).   It came with an E12 head and plastic runners.

 

G-Man

 

[RenaissanceMan]

25 minutes ago, Gordon said:

My 74 tii also has a 72 tii motor in it, 2762096 bought from Jeff Ireland in 2003.  Jeff parted out a rusty tii that was imported from the midwest to So Cal.  I had Jack Fahuna rebuild the motor to Euro tii specs (9:5.1 comp ratio).   It came with an E12 head and plastic runners.

 

G-Man

 

 

Well that is pretty awesome. ? Bet that is a fun motor.