is my engine number false?

[lepht93]

Hi,
So I'm replacing my harmonic balancer in a BP manufactured December 1992, the balancer I just bought on eBay is for models VN-VP 1990 to 01/1993 so I thought I'd be safe but then I just put my VIN 6H8VPK19HPL609311 on vicroads pre purchase check to tell methe engine number and it says Engine Number: VH1290365 but on eBay it said harmonic balancer for Up those dates up to engine number 1274843, that's a massive gap, is this me misreading something or have I just bought the wrong part? The part number is HB1083N by the way.
Any help greatly appreciated!

[lepht93]

sonjst checked and yep the engine number is correct, does this mean I have a series II VP engine, how can that be if it was made in 1992, should I buy parts to suit a 1993 VP now? Sorry for all
The questions, just damn confused.

[delcowizzid]

check the weight on the back of it and compare it to the old one vn vp and vr had different weights on them if it looks the same your most likely in luck

[88GreenVN]

I'll have a look at my engine number data base - back soon.....

[88GreenVN]

Your VIN and Engine number say your car was made in the first week of Dec 92 or there abouts. I also have L609073 with E/N VH1290310 recorded - putting your car in line with the production run of serial numbers. (quote L609311 and E/N VH1290365)

The VP had an upgrade at L600000 on the 23 Oct 92. I dont have the series 2 date - but must be around this time.

E/N VH1274843 would have been around the middle of September 92 with serial number L591677.

VP's started around L518564 on 8/8/91. First VP with E/N combo I have is L528420 / VH1215790 middle Sept 91 and finished at L645550 / VH1324000 30 Jun 93.

[lepht93]

car says manufactured 2/12/92 which matches your dates, so the engine hasn't been replaced I guess, but should I buy parts for a series 2 VP engine then? On eBay where I'm buying the balancer it has 2 options, HB1083N for VN-VP 1990-1993, up to engine no 1274XXXX, so I assume I should buy the balancer for VP-VR for engine numbers 1274XXXX onwards then ? I guess their range saying 1990-1993 is what confused me but these are just loose dates right?
Thanks guys

[lepht93]

and some commodore archive tells me series II VPs started feb 1993, seems a telltale sign is the body coloured grille, mine is plain glass.
this is so confusing
So from what I'm gathering is I have a series II engine in a series I VP

More to the point, should I buy part number HB1207N for VP-VR 01/93 to 04/95 for engines 12744844 up, ratherthan HB1083N for vn-vp 90-01/93 for engines up to 12744843? These dates are loose and I can't be the first late 92 vp owner confused buy this.

[Shearer]

According to my Strut Sheets, all VPs after L600000 have A9A, =Series 2 upgrade.

Apparently the body coloured grille came in on the A9P, a minor upgrade later Dec '92.


I would buy a balancer for a later motor; those dates given are slightly misleading.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

They give engine numbers as a reference for a reason, the engine change occurred before the series change.

[88GreenVN]

They give engine numbers as a reference for a reason, the engine change occurred before the series change.

Agree with that ^^^ the VP motor was in the VN well before the VP hit the show room floor. So you would have a SII VP motor.

[lepht93]

Thanks for all your help,
I'll be buying the HB1207N tomorrow then. Random question, found out lastnight through an idiot that early commodores aren't too hard to steal, so I was just wondering how safe/secure the factory immobiliser is? Would it be worth my time getting an aftermarket one too?