Engine (and Patrol) age from engine number

[Nicolanders]

Is it possible to tell the real manufacturing date of the engine from the serial number? We heard some mechanics in Bolivia saying that. The ownership-card says 1979, but it also says it is a 2.5 liter engine, and we know that is not true.

We're not sure which one it is, so we're uploading photos of both the numbers we found:

2014-08-20_10.38.jpg

2014-08-20_10.38.25.jpg

Would this mean 1973, or do you have to check some kind of table?

[Esteban]

Yes, it's possible, but someone will need access to a Nissan database. The number (202173) stamped in your first picture is a sequential number for this engine, and by looking at the number, I will think that it's correct for 1979. The number on the other picture is just a casting number.

To give you an idea, I used to have a 74, and it's engine number was 108348

Maybe RiverPatrol can give us some input, or any idea based on his pickup Patrols.

[RiverPatrol]

Maybe Nissan has that information stored somewhere, but it is not publicly accessible. We keep the US Registry up in an attempt to use it as a guide to year of engines and even vehicles. Unfortunately, since the Patrol ceased import to the US in 1969, our Registry only works for US vehicles.

I have a 1979 Patrol that was imported from Australia. The manufacture date on it is 7-1979. The engine number is P172514. Since the ID plate doesn't include the engine number on this vehicle, I can not be 100% sure that this is the original engine. I am pretty sure that it is, but there is documentation that came with the vehicle that shows the original owner bought a spare short block to have if the original engine failed.

The engine number on my 1979 Patrol is quite a bit lower than your engine number. But, if you look at the Australian Patrol Registry, you'll find that there is a 1979 Patrol with an engine number that is much closer to yours: http://www.60patrol.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1731 . From this I would say that it is a pretty good indication that your Patrol is indeed a 1979 model.

[Nicolanders]

Great answers, thanks! So it seems that ownership card may not be off after all. Good to know! And the Patrol is turning 35 this year. We're taking it on a little trip for the occasion