AH 100 - Chassis and Engine Numbers

[mjobrien]

OK, first new guy post and first English car project.....

I'm in the process of rebuilding a 55 Austin Healey 100/4 with a chassis number of 226364, and Engine number of 228964. All the information that I have found would indicate these are not orginal to each other, but all physical indications are. Transmission, accessories, wiring and the like all seem to be original. Body number is correct to the car as 9281. Is it possible for a post unified number car to have an engine that was built 90 days after the chassis?

Thanks in advance.
Michael. michaeljamesobrien@yahoo.com

 

[Steve]

Firstly, welcome to the BCF. Now as to your question, I am not an authority on the Austin Healey marque, but from what I know of British cars in general, it is entirely possible that your engine is original to the car. How did you come by the build dates that you quoted?

 

[Dave Russell]

Michael,
I think you are correct about the chassis being built in June 1955. Also correct about the engine being in the September 1955 series. This would make the engine one of the early BN2 series. It would normally go with the side shift 4 speed, OD transmission.

The BN1 transmission was a three speed, OD. Since the 3 speed was really a 4 speed with first gear blocked off, it had a strange shift pattern. On the BN1, the shifter is on the very far left side of the transmission tunnel. On the BN2, the shifter is left of center but on the top of the tunnel. Which transmission does your car have?

I doubt if the engine was a factory change but you never know. A slight possibility is that the number tags were changed for some reason by a previous owner. Some of these cars have a very interesting past history, if we only knew.

The only way to be sure is to get a "Heritage Trust" certificate which gives the as built chassis, body, & engine numbers plus colors & dates. It does cost about $50, I think.

You can go here for certificate details & an application form;
https://www.heritage.org.uk/archive/trace.htm
D

 

[mjobrien]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Steve:
Firstly, welcome to the BCF. Now as to your question, I am not an authority on the Austin Healey marque, but from what I know of British cars in general, it is entirely possible that your engine is original to the car. How did you come by the build dates that you quoted?<hr></blockquote>

Steve,

Thanks for the reply, I found the build dates in the "Orgininal Austin Healey" I did get a Heritage certificate which does indicate a Engine and Chassis number of 226364, body number is correct.

To Dave's question,

The trans is a 3 speed w/side mount with a single casting for the trans and clutch, seems correct....


I'm sure I'm not done discovering things!

 

[Bruce Bowker]

It is even posisble the first owner took the car out and blew the engine after a few months and the factory put in a new one. After all those years everything would be old enough to look original.

Or perhaps for some reason that car was set aside for a few months and then an engine put in. Possibilties are almost endless.

Great car regardless. A real sports car.

 

[Dave Russell]

Michael,
If you are REALLY curious, you can ask "Heritage" to check out chassis # 228964. This would tell you if there was an original car to go with that engine number. It depends on how far you wish to go.

https://www.jharper.demon.co.uk/100reg1.htm
I checked here & neither number shows up, however there are several other registries that would give you information if you contacted them personally.

Here are a couple of other registry lists that have some contacts.
https://www.healey.org/other-registries.shtml
https://www.serve.com/AHCA/ahcareg.htm

Steve,
Michael's source agrees with the "Anderson/Moment" restoration guide.

I love mysteries,
D

[ 04-27-2004: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]</p>

 

[mjobrien]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dave Russell:
Michael,
If you are REALLY curious, you can ask "Heritage" to check out chassis # 228964. This would tell you if there was an original car to go with that engine number. It depends on how far you wish to go.

https://www.jharper.demon.co.uk/100reg1.htm
I checked here & neither number shows up, however there are several other registries that would give you information if you contacted them personally.

Here are a couple of other registry lists that have some contacts.
https://www.healey.org/other-registries.shtml
https://www.serve.com/AHCA/ahcareg.htm

Steve,
Michael's source agrees with the "Anderson/Moment" restoration guide.

I love mysteries,
D

[ 04-27-2004: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]<hr></blockquote>


Thanks to both of you.... I'll follow up with Heritage and see what I can find out.....


Michael.

 

[mbrooks]

Hi Michael,

Interesting post. I have just acquired BN2 L 230 437 with engine 205543. I had some help from a couple of the 100 register guys, and they tell me the engine is from an earlier car. Like you, the chassis and body numbers do tie up on mine.

Good luck with your restoration.

Mike Brooks 56 BN2

 

[mjobrien]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by mbrooks:
Hi Michael,

Interesting post. I have just acquired BN2 L 230 437 with engine 205543. I had some help from a couple of the 100 register guys, and they tell me the engine is from an earlier car. Like you, the chassis and body numbers do tie up on mine.

Good luck with your restoration.

Mike Brooks 56 BN2<hr></blockquote>


Mike,

Thanks for the reply, I'll let you know what I hear out of the Register once I get the engine report back.....


Michael.