How do I determine engine year/original VIN# by engine serial#? | FerrariChat
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How do I determine engine year/original VIN# by engine serial#?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by scottseb, Aug 16, 2010.

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  1. scottseb

    scottseb Rookie

    Sep 14, 2009
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    tucson, az
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    sebarna scottsman
    #1 scottseb, Aug 16, 2010
    F355
    Replacement engine installed in the car and from what I can find there is no VIN# stamped on the engine. Took his word for it that the car had low mileage and was from a 96 but found the number stamped on the engine, 5 digits and a F129C where the F129C indicates it is a 98 or 99 engine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_Dino_engine#3.5).

    Is there a way to find out what car this came from and if I was sold more than a story and not a horribly high mileage engine or a stolen part or something?

    Thank you
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 BigTex, Aug 16, 2010
    It might not make you happy....would you still want to know???

    Modern Ferraris are not "numbers matching" but if you corresponded with the Factory hay might tell you the VIN you motor matches..

    You register with them and put your VIN into the "My Garage" sectin, then they confirm the build date and colors, then at that point you can contact them and they relate to you as an Owner.....
     
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 BigTex, Aug 16, 2010
    It certainly came from another 355, there would be no other option........and "later is always better" as far as the 355 series updates go......
     
  4. scottseb

    scottseb Rookie

    Sep 14, 2009
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    #4 scottseb, Aug 17, 2010
    I wish ferrari put VIN#'s on their engines like US law requires on all cars in the U.S. and it would make it easy. have the dealer contacting HQ to see if they can trace the serial# to a VIN.

    Does anyone have knowledge if I was correct that the F129C was used only on later years 98-99 and the F129B stamp was changed in 97?
     
  5. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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    #5 greyboxer, Aug 17, 2010
    There is a Bosch parts list here that suggests 129B is Motronic 2.7 era and 129c is 5.2 which makes more sense

    http://www.bosch.com.au/content/language1/downloads/BOSCH_Fuel_Pump_WEB.pdf Page 79

    Whilst it is good to know surely the critical thing is that the car works and you have some service history relating to the new engine

    Unfortunately the 355 registry does not list engine numbers but spending some time here & in classifieds will give an indication of the relationship between engine number and manufacture year
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 tazandjan, Aug 17, 2010
    The 1994 and 1995 F355s were Type 129B engines with Motronic 2.7 DMEs, The 1996 and later F355s had Type 129C engines with Motronic 5.2 DMEs. This tracks the 456, which used 2.7 through 1995 and 5.2 1996 and later.

    This is all confirmed in the owner's manuals issued for those years. There should be an engine number on the block. Take that and go to the 348/355 forum and ask some other 355 owners what their engine numbers are. Should give you a pretty good idea of where the engine you have fits into the production sequence.

    Ferrari continues to use the same system of different numbers for chassis, engine and transmission.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 BigTex, Aug 17, 2010
    How did they wire the newer engine management into an older car?

    Is that a big deal???
     
  8. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 tazandjan, Aug 17, 2010
    Tex- Those are all external systems, so it was just a matter of changing ECUs, programming, and wiring. A bit more complicated than putting electronic ignition on a Dino 246, but the same principles. No difference in the ignition coil assemblies or spark plug wiring between 2.7 and 5.2, so relatively easy to do.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 BigTex, Aug 17, 2010
    I think he should be happy with the newer engine....only tears to learn it came from a totaled or flood car........

    I understand him wanting to know, however.
     

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