Pulled the engine # from the engine in my 72 coupe and it's A12-114754. However according to the VIN plate it should be A12-171172. So obviously it's not the original engine.

So far I have the earliest engine in my 1200. Can anyone beat a 114754?

Didn't think of the 'Crate Motor' possibility DD, but that makes perfect sense.

Hi Guys

Mine is 73 Made,engine no range 53XXXX

thanks
regards
sumith

Mine are 72s and in the 6xxxxx numbers

Even if the engine number is a 1971, if it was rebuilt, the 1972 head is a direct replacement, so you won't know for sure. They are both the same compression (heads). The piston dish varies to give different ratios.

I think the 500xxx numbers are JDM engines. They sold a ton of 'good used japan engines' during the 80s. In that case it is likely to have the closed chamber head.

Remember, the closed chamber head is good for 1 HP over the open chamber in the A12. The difference is not as much as in american engines or in the later A14/A15 engines, but it's still enough to make a difference.

Maybe we can make this a bit more fun...
Please chime in with your '71 engine serial number. Let's see who has the oldest one!

I have an A12 Ser # A12 526504. Its an early front distributor 1200. In checking the numbers, it was made earlier than my '72. Could it be an early '71? I'm still trying to figure out if it's a closed chamber head.

Here's what I know... It came out of a b210 (not original as engine mounts are homemade). It has a 310 electronic distributor (matchbox on side).