Engine age verification no longer acceptable?

[KevinW]

Government inconsistency? Inconceivable!

Looking forward to fun with an FE

Let me know when you're there. Establishing age was easy, getting below 99dB on the noise was a bit tricky, but very do-able.

[Sumocobra]

Hi Russell,

I'm not sure if this will help but I've just been through the IVA recently with my car which has a 1972 Ford 302 in it. 

My engine was built up and age certified at Real Steel when the DVSA requirement for what was classed as acceptable evidence changed.

Reviewing the email from Stuart Range Croft I used the Small Block Ford Engine parts interchange book to back up the Certification and the marks on the block (casting and assembly dates)

You can preview the book here and see the information/ photos of the marks you can reference.
https://www.diyford.com/engine-block-parts-interchange-for-small-block-ford/

The physical book is available here
https://amzn.eu/d/0f9ayU4

When I sent the paperwork in for my build to the DVSA I specifically put together an slide deck to evidence the age of the engine.  I put in photos from the book, the receipt for the core engine which called out the age, the Real Steel certification, and the of the marks on the block.

This seemed to be acceptable and I was then able to book an IVA date.  I took all my evidence with me to the inspection and it passed with just visual emissions.

I hope this helps as I was panicking so much  because I had made so much investment in the build, I hated to think I would fail at the last hurdle.

I hope this might help yourself or others who may be in the same boat.

Russell (what are the chances of us both having the same name) 😉

[aaronjb]

It would seem that there some inconsistency in the system.

Government inconsistency? Inconceivable!

Looking forward to fun with an FE

[Tommy-boy]

I emailed Ford on the address below with all the same information that Kevin had provided them but they have just come back this morning to say that they are unable to help without the paperwork for the engines donor vehicle.

I'm not sure where that leaves me now, I guess I could try Ford in the USA again but they didn't even respond at all to my previous email. Otherwise will CATs in the side pipes work? (I will have to completely re-do the manifolds and heavily modify the side pipe to get them in otherwise).

Any other suggestions?

R.

Try agin using a different email, contact name, same engine details (obviously) and see if you get the same response... worth a shot for the sake of an email.

[Kev Davies UKCC Membership]

Sorry to hear that Russell,
It's going to be interesting to see where you go from here.
It would seem that there some inconsistency in the system.

[Russell]

I emailed Ford on the address below with all the same information that Kevin had provided them but they have just come back this morning to say that they are unable to help without the paperwork for the engines donor vehicle.

I'm not sure where that leaves me now, I guess I could try Ford in the USA again but they didn't even respond at all to my previous email. Otherwise will CATs in the side pipes work? (I will have to completely re-do the manifolds and heavily modify the side pipe to get them in otherwise).

Any other suggestions?

R.

[Cobragreyhead]

Yes

the later engines had that style number

however the early early engines like my 1967 289 do not have this config that  Kev said, instead you'll find the Block casting number with Block date code under starter. you can 'JUST' see it through the gap viewed from underneath with a stock starter, better with a mini starter. to back that up easier also you can see an ASSEMBLY date code top front left if not deck skimmed.(this might be on sump flange) but covered. so i provided those three number with photos as well as my original ENGINE certificate number(though this was may not be needed and is not accepted). it helped Ford as per Kev provide an proof letter that i hope will be acceptable to examiner when i get my IVA, Ford department very helpful indeed.
if you need help with what you are looking for let me know.
also i will be taking two useful books that backs all this up. i also sent the book pages to Ford.

[Kev Davies UKCC Membership]

Just to update this thread,
My 1987 Block based Ford 302 has just gone through IVA OK.
I was lucky in that it has a just about visible engine no. on it. (XX123456) two letters and six numbers.
I was able to give the number along with casting numbers etc. to Ford Motor Company Ltd.

They verified the engine age as 1987 and sent me a letter to that effect which was accepted by the IVA tester.

The email address for the department at Ford is - ukdac@forddac.co.uk

If you don't have an engine number I'm not sure how you get there?

[KevinW]

May be of interest....
https://www.the289register.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=6492

[stephenLC]

Greetings,
a cautionary tale

I am about to do the paperwork for the IVA. I have a Ford 302 that from the casting numbers is just old enough . I contacted Ford in the USA to see what they could provide,gave them the block numbers etc.No joy. They need the vehicle in which the engine was first fitted (no idea but probably a truck ) .After a few exchanges they eventually said that as it was a Windsor engine and that factory closed many years ago they have no records at all. Great!!!!
Stephen

[Cobragreyhead]

And thankyou everyone

[Cobragreyhead]

Ok thankyou

I'll get it up in the air and see what is readable ( assuming Tester will read up from the underneath ) or do you have to read from above.
I may have to install mini starter or a bring a dentist mirror.

Im wondering what 'books' to bring to prove. I guess maybe as many as possible.
This reminds me of the 2003 SVA process!

[Simon]

The  number has to be readable by the tester. It'll be one of the first things they'll check. I guess as long as you can prove it's a '65 engine (many years before emissions are needed to be tested) it'll be fine. The chances of it being built up by the original mfr and put in a brand new car in the 80's-90's are pretty remote 🤪

[427mark]

Any update on this post please

[Cobragreyhead]

Ok well interesting reply simon, if my stamped /letter verified block is no longer acceptable then i can only refer back to the older way of proving the block casting number confirming the year, and there is a date code visable, i can only get books to proove this. The heads are cast iron 1965 and stamped '65'
There are no unique engine serial numbers on these early engines which is why i had one stamped on as per Engine verifier. I thought that was the whole point. Not sure what more i can do.

Does the block casting number have to be visable as covered by a starter? I could put on a mini hi torque starter that might help.