Engine number identification

[simonbav]

Good afternoon all,

I've located the wiring for the choke and otter switch in my '60's loom and now I come to the replacement engine I find that it has a temperature switch rather than an otter switch.

The block number is 95128835C. Can someone help me identify it please?

[diffwhine]

Looks like a Series 3 engine to me. Not a problem, just connect up as per S3.

[Twomokes]

That is a later S3 engine, it should from memory still have the otter switch  on the top of the head or at least the casting boss of it wasn't drilled in addition the temperature sender on the drivers side of the head.

[simonbav]

Thankyou both 

[Old Hywel]

I don't think any S3 had an Otter switch. Choke out, light on.

[Alan Drover]

I've checked in James Taylor's Series 3 book and 951 prefix engines are 8:1 military spec 12v 1971-4.
Otter switches were fitted to some Series 3 engines per the parts list.

[Richard]

Yes, according to Glencoyne 951... is a Series III petrol 2286cc 3-bearing (fitted to 88 inch airportable).
Richard

[Old Hywel]

Early 73, blanking plate.
1980, undrilled.

[Alan Drover]

I found it courtesy of James Taylor again.
The otter switch was discontinued in September 1973 at chassis numbers 901-06527A and 904-03788A on 88's and 911-02845B and 914-07305B for 109's. No actual engine numbers given.

[Theshed]

Ok give up. What's an Otter switch ?   

[simonbav]

Ok give up. What's an Otter switch ? 

Temperature Otter switch, in Series 1 and 2 and 2a Land Rover 2286 engines at the front top surface of the cylinder head and many other period cars.

[simonbav]

Early 73, blanking plate.
1980, undrilled.

Thanks O.H., the block is un-drilled, so post 1980.

[Alan Drover]

I suspect when the otter switch was discontinued cylinder heads with blanking plates were used until they were all gone then the later casting without the plate was used. I don't think the head on the original 2.25 engine in my Land Rover had a plate and that was a 1975 engine.

[diffwhine]

Early Range Rovers had them as well.

If you look on the ACR website, in their downloads section, there is an excellent summary of all the cylinder heads, how to identify them, casting numbers, compression rations, measurements and so on.

[Richard]

Ok give up. What's an Otter switch ? 

That'd be my question too ;-) I thought it had something to do with a peculiarity of otters, but it's the company name. I found this explanation on a Jag forum:

Otter is the name of the company, which is based here in Buxton

Derbyshire. They make bi-metallic switches and other small controls

for myriad customers, automotive and otherwise. Chances are your

electric kettle has an Otter switch in it.

They come in both types: to switch things like fans on when hot or

chokes on when cold. Not all the replacements sold by spares people

are genuine Otters. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing I

don't know. They are fairly robust and simple. Problems are usually

caused either by abuse or corrosion / leakage I believe. Or fitting

the wrong switch in the first place or wiring problems elsewhere in

the system. Sensible treatment and use of corrosion-inhibiting

coolant mixtures keeps them functioning, for the most part.–

Richard