My 10th Anniversary has 112K on it now, leaks oil pretty bad, but otherwise runs very well-- even passed emmissions this spring. Boost is good, etc., and although I have not had a compression test by the dealer, I think it's in relatively decent shape for it's age. It is the original motor.

I know with american classic's from the late 60's, etc. keeping matching numbers between engine and chassis increases value to most collectors. I would presume that there is a number somewhere on this engine that links it to this chassis? Anyone know where it is, and what numbers should be the same, etc?

My dilemma is to rebuild this motor before a catastrophic failure, or buy a rebuild. As far as I can forsee, I'm keeping the car, but if I can keep matching numbers I may want to do that.

Thanks,

Greg O.

 

i just installed a rebuild in mine, and didnt see any numbers on the engine anywhere. that is, with the exception of "Mazda 13B" on the rotor housings.

 

The engine does have a number, it is under the alternator slightly towards the drivers side on the front cast iron part of the engine. It is pretty much at the base of the front lifting point of the engine. It has about 5 or 6 numbers but I don't know if these match the last numbers on the vin or not because I don't have the original engine in mine. I wouldn't worry too much about matching numbers as it will be a real long time before these cars get that collectable that you would have to worry about the numbers.

 

If you are wanting to keep it because of the value it will bring, keep it for the next rebuild and install something different for now. Just a thought if you are really wanting that motor to be in the car for the classic period.

 

the number does not match the car but mazda knows what engine is in what car. the more original you keep the car the more it will be worth someday, but how collectable is a 10ae anyway?? i dont really like them myself, i wouldn't pay more for one. since you already have it you might as well enjoy it

mike

 

Since there was only 1,500 of them made it makes them very collectable among RX-7 enthusiest. These usually sell for more than regular T2's that are in the same shape. They are great cars in my opinion. I love mine.


I don't think that the engine will affect the value of the car. Unfortunantly, Japaneese cars don't seem to make clasic status like the american and european cars do. maybe a few more years will change all of that.
Maybe you shoould just keep the motor in storage like snoopster76 said. That way, in 30 years if it does matter, then you can put it back in.
I'm not going that rout with mine though. Mine is being pretty heavily moded so I don't expect it to be worth as much a bone stock one.

good luck,
Mike

 

Thanks for the feedback and comments. Part of why I chose the AE was for it's "limited" production run, although when it boils down to it, there are only a few parts to separate it from a normal T2 of that year. Getting the shift **** and leather boot reproduced with the logo is proving a bit difficult for example (probably have to buy one on ebay)

As far as Japanese cars being collectable, I think it's still too early, the 240Z for example is just starting to gain some appeal, but I look at some of the early 50-60 British cars for example. At 112K, this will never be a trailer queen for the sake of preserving value, but I hope to have a reasonably close to stock vehicle that gets driven often.

I'm leaning towards buying a 2nd motor, not that I have tons of storage space, but maybe I'd rebuild this motor myself over the next few years. Atleast I can still enjoy driving the car!

Thanks again!

 

I know, dug this up from long ago-- it was bugging me.

Today I was sorting through my folder of records (from the previous owner), and made a discovery. In addition to what looks like a build sheet (the paperwork that tells the line folks what stuff to install), I have the window sticker and a document that I've not seen before, but it has a box with the title of "Advanced Shipping Notice" printed in red.

On this document is an engine number and the VIN number. I checked, the original engine is in the car.

So to correct the mis-information, these documents can link the engine number to the chassis number. Maybe it's not important now, but go look for a '65 Vette, or a '69 Camaro. Cars with matching numbers and documentation to prove this are highly sought after when people look for original examples.

Greg O