Engine number question

[andyG]

Well, sorry mate, but that certainly doesn't help, its either 5 years too early or 5 or 10 years too late for a HZ Sandman, seeing as it was apparently stamped by NSW police in 1988, it gives me a 20 year window, i appreciate your input, but, any other ideas?

[HK1837]

D303 on a 308 is 1973, can't be 83.

[damienengland]

D303 on a 308 is 1973, can't be 83.

Is that confirmed because the D is in front of the numbers and not in the middle?

[HK1837]

Date coding on cast iron GMH stuff changed during HQ from US style to normal style.

[Innuendo]

It always ended in year though and if it a 3 then the block is 1973 (if it's a red motor).

[HK1837]

Has to be a red motor from 1973, can't be anything else with US style date code.

[andyG]

Yes its a red motor, would it be a normal occurence for a 73 engine to be in a 78 car?

[HK1837]

Yes. Exchange, 2nd hand engine etc. Very common for engines to end up anywhere.

[Innuendo]

Yes its a red motor, would it be a normal occurence for a 73 engine to be in a 78 car?

The one thing 100% for sure is that is it NOT the original engine block issued with the car.

[andyG]

Thanks mate, that is exactly what i was chasing, how, if in any way, does this affect authenticity in the future, chassis matches plates, is it ok to throw in any random red motor as long as its a 308?