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[discosport152]

Can anyone tell me why my 1963 2.25 engine has got the number 875 stancilled on the block in cream number plate sized letters?.Engine colour is a silver/grey on the outside and cream on the inside.Engine number is 25142320C.Thanks.

[Matt Reeves]

I'm not sure the reason for the stencil has been fully established, but a line number seems the most plausible theory so far.

As an aside, most (all?) earlier blocks have a casting date on them in the format of day, month, year. This is a useful way of determining whether an engine is likely original to the vehicle it's fitted in.

This date is extremely difficult to see when the engine is in the vehicle and the manifolds are fitted, but a decent phone camera can help.

[Exile]

This question has come up many, many times over the years.

From memory, the stencilled number was said to have more to do with the Company that cast the block, than with Rover/Land Rover.

[Matt Reeves]

From memory, the stencilled number was said to have more to do with the Company that cast the block, than with Rover/Land Rover.

I'd be surprised if that was the case as the number is stencilled on over the grey engine paint, which was likely applied by Rover once the head and water pump had been fitted judging by original untouched engines I have/have seen.

I'd suggest it was an engine line assembly number applied as the engine was being built up, but that's just a theory.