Got my first Mk2, but not all is as it seems? (Paperwork/Vin query)

[alexnessie]

Hi all!

Sorry if this is in the wrong place or there's a way to look this up, but the search box freaked out when I tried to search for "vin" or "mk2 vin"!

I've just bought my first Mk2, supposedly a 1300, french import moredoor.
Like an idiot, I didn't read through the french paperwork, because "well I can't read that" and bought it based on a test drive and the english paperwork, where it's listed as a 1298.

However, I just had a peek at the french paperwork and spotted "1100cm3" mentioned in it, and now I'm not sure what I actually have.

I tried using classic ford mag's plate decoder, but as you'll see from the plate, not much from the plate matches up with it!

It's locked up in the garage justnow, but I've got some pictures sent from the seller, and done what I can in photoshop to make them as legible as possible:



To my eyes, this reads as:

(First plate)
GAGXR F3 BBAFSY83968
1350 (BLANK) (BLANK)
1 G3 B E Q/ H1 (BLANK)
1700

(Second plate)
ALFDME Y410XSZB
BAGXRF3
BBAFSY83968
R GOLD D FRANCE


The G3 in the first plate is under Mot/Motor, and I can't find anything to tell me what this is supposed to mean? It doesn't line up with any listed codes in Classic Ford Mag's decoder.

Can anyone help identify what engine I have?

If it helps, it looks like it has a Weber 38 DGMS fitted.

Thanks all!

[Graham]

The thing is it doesnt matter what the vin plates or paperwork say the engine could be anything!

[alexnessie]

Couldn't sleep last night so went back down the garage, engine number stamped on the block is SY83968 so it's definitely the factory motor!

Am I right in saying the only way to know 100% what it is for sure would be to measure the stroke length and block height?

[Graham]

block height will only confirm its not a 1600. 950,1100, 1300 are all same block hieght

all x/f are same bore size, you need to measure stroke

[katana]

Isn't the 1600 the only one with a tall block - so if 1100 or 1300, you'd still be none the wiser? Otherwise its head off time to check stroke.
Whilst we all like to know what we've got, what is your concern to cause sleepless nights?
From the 2nd plate the #BBAFSY deciphers as B - Britain, B - Halewood, A - Escort, F - 4dr Saloon, SY - October 1976.

If that is an 'E' under Axle, its a 4.444:1 ratio and lowest of them all and likely (logically) fitted behind an 1100 engine.

[Miniliteman]

I have the French version of the Mk2 manual. In it it states that G3 is a 1100 cc car with a double carburettor (2V). Only used for French and Italian market.

[alexnessie]

Isn't the 1600 the only one with a tall block - so if 1100 or 1300, you'd still be none the wiser? Otherwise its head off time to check stroke.
Whilst we all like to know what we've got, what is your concern to cause sleepless nights?
From the 2nd plate the #BBAFSY deciphers as B - Britain, B - Halewood, A - Escort, F - 4dr Saloon, SY - October 1976.

If that is an 'E' under Axle, its a 4.444:1 ratio and lowest of them all and likely (logically) fitted behind an 1100 engine.

Block height to narrow it down to 1300 and below, then stroke length to confirm the capacity, I figured the block height wouldn't take more than a few seconds to check and just be another factor to use to determine what I had.

The concern is, it was advertised and sold to me as a 1300 Crossflow, not an 1100!

It is an E yeah, thank you for decoding everything for me! I must have been doing it wrong using the GAGXR bit!

I have the French version of the Mk2 manual. In it it states that G3 is a 1100 cc car with a double carburettor (2V). Only used for French and Italian market.

Thank you Miniliteman, that confirms it then, it's an 1100 not a 1300, I'd buy you a pint if I could for solving that!

[Zakspak]

So with the engine size resolved, what’s your plans for the car ?

[alexnessie]

Sorry Zak, I've been busy and forgot to check the thread!

Still undecided on what to do re:engine, as the plan was to build a rev-happy little 1300, ideally wanting to use it for Nav Rallies and just as a fun weekend toy. I've been offered a pinto, type 9, and atlas axle for very little money, so that's extremely tempting!

Interior is ropey (it sat in the french sun for who-knows-how-many years and the poor old cloth seats are falling apart, yet still comfier than my couch!) and the exterior is bare metal with clearcoat, so I'm thinking of making it a nice place to be interior-wise, nothing modern but just some comfortable clean seats, new door cards.

Exterior, I'm considering keeping the bare-metal look as it gives it a bit of a genuine survivor look, there's no filler anywhere on the car and the underneath is pretty fresh too, it would be a shame to hide the lack of welding and filler, and people seem to absolutely love it!

I have a rat-look 1984 US import Ranger (don't lynch me, I didn't rat-look it!) that's had it's v6 swapped for a pinto after it spun a bearing, so it does fit the theme I seem to have of ropey-looking, but clean underneath, left hand drive Fords!

[Zakspak]

Sounds nice and simple, 1300 x flows pop up on a regular basis because most people want more so you could probably change it up cheaply and easily
Try and post some pictures here at some point