Guide Series Engine Numbers - 3 Or 5 Bearing

[Big Sandy]

Big Sandy submitted a new resource:

Series Engine Numbers - 3 Or 5 Bearing - That Is The Question

Quite often we hear the question asked whether a vehicle is fitted with a 3 main bearing engine, or a 5 main bearing engine, and how can you tell which is which?

A simple way of ascertaining whether you have a 3 or 5 bearing engine is to look at the castings on the block. There are extra 'webs' cast into the block on 5 bearing engines, to strengthen the unit. Below you will see two photographs, the top one of which is a 3 bearing engine, and is painted a duck egg blue colour....

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[Big Sandy]

Some further information, originally posted up by Snagger , in the series section.
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I don't know the petrol codes, but the diesels are:

10J - 2.25 4cyl diesel, SII/SIII/early 90/110;

12J - 2.5 normally aspirated diesel, 90/110;

15J - as 12J but for Sherpa van and taxis, different timing case which allows easier fitting to Series LRs (no need to change rhs engine mount) but is not water proof;

19J - turbo charged version of 12J (some slight internal changes to suit), 90/110. Great engine for Series Land Rovers, but finding a good one is difficult as they suffer cracked pistons if poorly maintained;

200Tdi - 2.5 Turbo charged Direct Injection intercooled. Two versions, one for Defender, one for Discovery and RRC. Deifferences are the turbo and exhaust route, with Defender unit installation being easiest. Not recommended for use in Series LRs unless gearbox is replaced with LT77 (which would require a Stage 1 V8 front axle or modified RR axles front and rear);

300Tdi - later development of 200Tdi. Smoother and better oil pump, but similar output to 200. Very difficult to install in Series;

International 2.8TGV - bored-out version of licence built 300Tdi, with variable geometry turbo (hence TGV). Very powerful, more torque than the TD5. Would shatter a Series transmission in minutes!

TD5 - the out going 5 cylinder 2.5 engine.


Most 2.25 (petrol and diesel) are 3mb. A 5mb 10J would be a straight swap for a 3mb 10J, as would a 15J. All 4cyl petrols (2.25 3mb, 5mb and 2.5) are directly interchangeable.

 

[Barlow]

To furthur confuse matters my engine is duck egg blue and is the 5MB variant

 

[Big Sandy]

You cant rely on the colour unfortunately...for example the colour of the 5 bearing engine above isnt correct, even though its remanufactured. (its more a terracotta red...but you cant trust images on the computer either, as all monitors show colours differently)

Anyway..here's some more info provided by RUXY

on a 5mb 2.5 (2495cc) PETROL engine - expect to locate the engine number branded on the block near to the dizzy - NOT at the front normal location BUT some (if not all) 5mb 2.5 (2495cc) DIESEL 2.5 na's are front marked :-

photo below

Some military spec. 5mb 2.3 (2286cc) Series 3 engines were in fact red blocks with black timing cases & cylinder heads but the vast majority were ex-works in SKY blue / duck egg green paint

 

[daz28]

To furthur confuse matters my engine is duck egg blue and is the 5MB variant

you can't always rely on engine no's either . I rebuilt a 2.25 diesel engine with a petrol block.