Confirming Original Engine

[CapeX5]

Merry Christmas All,
Just purchased an 03 4.6is. I am digging thru it and doing all needed and unknown maintenance. I have evidence of someone doing work on this engine. I.E. lot's of rtv between upper oil pan and block. Does anyone know how to determine if this is the original engine to the car? It would be easy to swap with a basic 4.4. I have some id marks cast into the right side of the block, don't know how to decipher them. Would appreciate anyones thoughts.

[andrewwynn]

Realoem Vin scan will show the original engine model.

The rtv likely from normal maintenance.

0-60 and stop watch will confirm 4.6 :-)

[CapeX5]

Thanks for the response. To get RTV on the "Upper" pan, is sign of someone digging much further than normal maintenance. Will the VIN correlate to the engine block markings? I know what model it's supposed to have, want to confirm that it is the original or same engine.

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Realoem Vin scan will show the original engine model.

The rtv likely from normal maintenance.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by CapeX5

Thanks for the response. To get RTV on the "Upper" pan, is sign of someone digging much further than normal maintenance. Will the VIN correlate to the engine block markings? I know what model it's supposed to have, want to confirm that it is the original or same engine.

By normal I mean the chain guides have been replaced not periodic maintenance.

Look inside at the chain guides there is a big difference between refreshed and original.

[CapeX5]

Andrew, per your suggestion to look at the guides, I bought one of those "bendy" cameras that connect to your phone. I have used it to try and get inside and look at them. I wasn't very successful. I can see the top of the U shaped guide, which did look good, but that is it. Have tried numerous ways to maneuver it to get inside there. It does rattle for a second or 2 at start up, so something is up. Vanos or guides, who knows. I anticipate taking it apart at some point. But, will do the tensioner upgrade and change the oil first to see if that helps. This is going to be an ongoing winter project, so no rush.

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

By normal I mean the chain guides have been replaced not periodic maintenance.

Look inside at the chain guides there is a big difference between refreshed and original.

[bmw540san]

To my knowledge, only the E36 M3 S52 engine comes with actual VIN sticker on the back of the head.
Nice thing about that was the fact I was able to run the Carfax on the VIN and confirm seller's claim of mileage since I bought the engine already removed from the car.
So, unless it has the VIN somewhere, you'll never trully know.

[jbfrancis3]

If you had a dial gauge with the appropriate extension you could verify the 85mm stroke of the M62TUB46.

A regular 4.4 motor would have a stroke of 82.7mm

[CapeX5]

Great idea, that wouldn't be too hard. Appreciate the tip.

Originally Posted by jbfrancis3

If you had a dial gauge with the appropriate extension you could verify the 85mm stroke of the M62TUB46.

A regular 4.4 motor would have a stroke of 82.7mm

[andrewwynn]

You need to put the 45° mirror on to see the bottom of the big guide (chin guide).

The big guide was the first to go on the two I rebuilt.

Did you take pictures? Even from the side you may see "new". The plastic clips do come around the metal a bit, also the aluminum base will look as lot different so that could likely confirm if it's original