VR6 engine. How to tell its a 2.9?

[P3rks 11]

I'm going to look at a spare 2.9 VR6 engine this weekend, so I have something I can rebuild over winter.

 

I know I can look at auxiliaries to identify, but they can be swapped over to a 2.8 easy enough.

 

So, how can I tell the block is 100% a 2.9 and not the 2.8?

[mic_VR 3]

Engine block code is ABV on the 2.9 I believe. And AAA on the 2.8.

 

Code is stamped at the top of the block on the airbox side.

[fla 9]

why not get a 2.8 and rebore it to 2.9? that way you'll have pretty much a new block. Plus I belive the 2.8s are ten a penny...

[StueyB 0]

Stamped on the block for sure. Can check for you this afternoon as I've just pulled a VR6 lump out of a Rado and I need to confirm the same.

 

This is Bentley's answer also:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]76604[/ATTACH]

[P3rks 11]

Well, the issue is the stellar has already looked in that location and it's not there.

 

I know it's stamped in dots, but nothing.

 

Anything else?

[Dan_Storm 0]

I noticed my engine code was stamped on the back-right of the engine. If I remember correctly it was near the engine crane hook point, behind the coil pack area.

 

It might need the dirt wiping away before it is noticeable.

[StueyB 0]

Ha...then the following I found today probably isn't going to help...

 

 

[P3rks 11]

Stuey; did you have to clean it up to see it? Or was it easily seen?

[StueyB 0]

Oh yeah, wire brush, some degreaser and some rags to get it like that.

 

You can see the difference vs. lower parts of the block.

[StueyB 0]

Be surprised if most aren't marked here.

 

I'll have a quick look on the engine in my Rado today as well as that's all cleaned up and painted.

 

In fact I can check my friends car also as that's next to mine in the unit.

[P3rks 11]

Well, I went to look at the engine and the number is definitely there. I can only make out the last few numbers if the engine number. The engine code section is so badly corroded.

 

I noticed the engine says 2.5-2.8 though?

[StueyB 0]

If it's not too far to go back, go armed with a wire brush/degreaser & rags. Should be able to get it back to bare metal to read it.

 

Should say 2.8-2.9 on the block else where but that doesn't really help.

 

Sure it says ABV on the block else where too but I'm yet to find that again.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

If the head is off, measure the bores. 82mm for 2.9, 81mm for 2.8. If you can't see the engine number, there is no way of telling aside from the intake manifold, but they can be fitted to 2.8s easily enough. There is a "2.8" casting on the back of the block, but that's on both the 2.8 & 2.9.