dating an engine block

[bmwstudent]

The motor in question was supposed to be out of an 89 vert, engine number is stamped into block just above the oil pan on drivers side of engine. 24726629 I know the first number indicates it is an m20, the next three numbers indicate the engine serial number 472, the first 6 indicates it was built in austria, and that the last three numbers are supposed to indicate the production day 629. However the problem i'm having is that i don't know what the 629 indicates. Is it june 29th, is it the 629th day of engine production. I've got another block that has the last three digits as 029. There is no zero month, so that sort of kills my june 29th theory on the engine i'm asking about. And since this is supposed to be an 89 engine that sort of kills the 629th day of engine production idea, considering the m20 was in production for several years before 1989 and there are 365 days in a year. I've been searching but can't find any concrete info on the last three numbers. Any help would be appreciated, I'm trying to order main bearings for this engine and i know the date break for different bearings occurred in february of 88. I don't want to pay for the wrong ones.

[jlevie]

The locking notches in the block and bearing caps determine which bearings you need. Early production has a single 2.9mm notch and late production will have one or two 2.0mm notches and can have crescent shaped oil groves in the bearing cap. You can use the late bearings in an early block, but not vice versa.

[mitchlevy7]

Read thread title and got the wrong idea.

[drumad]

Read thread title and got the wrong idea.

I'm sad to say the same thing.

[jeffnhiscars]

Read thread title and got the wrong idea.

I'm sad to say the same thing.

+1

My gut said "never"..but I'd date its sister

[bmwstudent]

Thanks, Jlevie. Your info is always helpful and not full of bull.

[TobyB]

no, I wouldn't date a bull, either...

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