OK, I was wrong about my engine being original!
Passenger
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OK, I was wrong about my engine being original!
I found the address of the guy who was the original owner my RX7. I have the black FD with 141,000. There was some debate as to whether my engine was original or not. It was my belief that it was, but I decided last week to send the original owner a letter asking him to call or email me with the questions that I had.
He called me back today, and what a suprise that was. I argued against common sense and against everyone on this forum (see thread "Original Engine Compression results at 140K". I think someone on that thread said it HAD to be a Mazda Reman Engine.
I can admit when I'm wrong. The car had its engine replaced with a Mazda Reman engine. Well he said..."I had the choice to rebuild it or get an engine from Japan, because they still make them over there". My guess he was referring to a Mazda Reman engine. That was done around 120K miles or so. At 133,000 It lost compression and had a major oil leak. He could not remember if he had another engine put in or if it was just repaired. I found the repair bill for the 133,000 service and it consisted of reparing a Major oil leak from the front cover,etc.
Last month I had the compression done and it had perfect numbers, so I am satisified that its good. As a side note, I had mentioned to everyone that the car is AMAZINGLY clean and has no wear inside the car. The car was 100% highway miles and garage kept. because of that, the interior is like new. Literally like showroom.
Ok, so all cars have problems right? I mean Miatas squeek and rattle, Rx7's need new engines. Right?
He called me back today, and what a suprise that was. I argued against common sense and against everyone on this forum (see thread "Original Engine Compression results at 140K". I think someone on that thread said it HAD to be a Mazda Reman Engine.
I can admit when I'm wrong. The car had its engine replaced with a Mazda Reman engine. Well he said..."I had the choice to rebuild it or get an engine from Japan, because they still make them over there". My guess he was referring to a Mazda Reman engine. That was done around 120K miles or so. At 133,000 It lost compression and had a major oil leak. He could not remember if he had another engine put in or if it was just repaired. I found the repair bill for the 133,000 service and it consisted of reparing a Major oil leak from the front cover,etc.
Last month I had the compression done and it had perfect numbers, so I am satisified that its good. As a side note, I had mentioned to everyone that the car is AMAZINGLY clean and has no wear inside the car. The car was 100% highway miles and garage kept. because of that, the interior is like new. Literally like showroom.
Ok, so all cars have problems right? I mean Miatas squeek and rattle, Rx7's need new engines. Right?
Re: VIN stamped on block
Originally posted by gmonsen2
the way to see if its your original motor or not is to look underneath the alternator. there will be a number stamped there that begins with "E" and is followed by six numbers ("Exxxxxx") where those numbers equate to your car's VIN number. makes it simple to see if an engine has been replaced or not. -gordon
the way to see if its your original motor or not is to look underneath the alternator. there will be a number stamped there that begins with "E" and is followed by six numbers ("Exxxxxx") where those numbers equate to your car's VIN number. makes it simple to see if an engine has been replaced or not. -gordon
Thanks Gordon.
I guess this won't tell you if your motor is a rebuilt original but that doesn't seem to happen much.
Jeff
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 529
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From: Sunny Trinidad & Tobago
I had my rebuild done using the same front plate with the engine number.. so I guess my car has the original motor then.. with new housings etc... allowed me to ship my engine out of the country to have it totally re-built and shipped it back home without paying duty on a new motor.. just "service, balance and blueprint at my cousins place = no charge=no duty + no tax" or that's what I told customs and they bought it :-)
Strange though, the number on my motor does start with E11 and my vin starts with FD3S11 but that's about it ..and my re-build was done when I hit 60,000 kms. I doubt my cars previous owner also did a re-build when the car was in Japan..or maybe JDM FD's have different engine and VIN's to American cars ?!?!?
Strange though, the number on my motor does start with E11 and my vin starts with FD3S11 but that's about it ..and my re-build was done when I hit 60,000 kms. I doubt my cars previous owner also did a re-build when the car was in Japan..or maybe JDM FD's have different engine and VIN's to American cars ?!?!?
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