Bristol 409 - engine numbers

[Peter Valvona]

I've got a 409 that doesn't have the original engine and I'm trying to identify where the replacement came from.

The funny thing is that the engine number is only about 250 further on from the original, so I'm wondering if a later engine was fitted at Bristol cars.

The engine has "scalloped" valve covers which suggests it's a Polyspherical 318 engine ........... does anyone else have one of these?

Is the stamped in number on the RH side of the engine block (at the front, just below the cylinder head) a Bristol number or a GM number?

Does anyone else have an engine number that's something like 1641 - 111***C?

[PaulS]

Hi Peter,

The engine block number should be on the side of the block (usually left side but appear to be instances of stamping on right side also evidently) and for the 318 poly should be a seven digit number starting with a 2. I believe the stamping you mention on RH side below cylinder head is a Chrysler/Mopar ID (not GM of course!) that contains build date/location and additional information.

There's a decent amount of "A" engine info on the web. I had found engine numbering that confirmed the 383 in my 411 was indeed specifically shipped to Bristol. Hopefully you can locate similar for your 318.

Good Luck,
Paul in Houston

[pasini s]

Originally Posted by PaulS

Hi Peter,

The engine block number should be on the side of the block (usually left side but appear to be instances of stamping on right side also evidently) and for the 318 poly should be a seven digit number starting with a 2. I believe the stamping you mention on RH side below cylinder head is a Chrysler/Mopar ID (not GM of course!) that contains build date/location and additional information.

There's a decent amount of "A" engine info on the web. I had found engine numbering that confirmed the 383 in my 411 was indeed specifically shipped to Bristol. Hopefully you can locate similar for your 318.

Good Luck,
Paul in Houston

Hello Peter, that's the engine number of my 1966 409:

My Bristol 409

If you need any info about Poly engines, google gary pavlovich. He's the real Poly Guru and an extremely nice fellow.

Cheers

Stefano

[Nick Challacombe]

Chassis number 7331 engine number is or was 161.111.547 and is a 1966 and 7353 was the last fitted with that series 1641.111.817c
several cars are listed as having a change of engine, 7343 changed from 1641.111.524c to 1641.111.541c chassis number 7345 changed from
1641.90876c to 1641.111.863c and chassis number 7353 changed from
1641.111.820c to 1641.111.524c which interestingly is the engine from 7343!
interestingly 7329 and 7345 share the same engine3 number but 7345 was changed as above so perhaps it was a clerical error, who knows.

The above will only confuse but as with everything Bristol details are slightly odd.

The build certificate from BHT may solve the mystery or even deepen it.

[Peter Valvona]

Paul, Stefano and Nick - thanks for your replies.

From the limited records that the BOC currently have it appears that my engine was probably in a batch of engines used by Bristol Cars as numbers 1641-1111840, 843 and 844 were used in cars with close chassis numbers to mine - but not in any sort of sequence!
Stefano, your engine number is completely different - is yours a later 409 with power steering?... as the numbering apparently changed completely around that time.

[pasini s]

Hello Peter,

you are right, my 409 is chassis #7355 and was actually the first to be issued with power steering as a series equipment. I bought it sight unseen via phone also for this peculiarity as it marks the beginning of a unofficial 'MkII' series, never sanctioned by Bristol as such but justified by several details; the change of engine numbering is one of these changes.

You can see more details of my 409-7355 here:

My Favourite Cars-Bristol 409

Best wishes to you all,

Stefano