Engine Dating

Hi i am currently working on a Villiers MK25 as I have no spark I have Taken off the flywheel to get a look at the electrics ,I noticed on the armature back plate the numbers 502/43 Stamped on,could this be the dating info, if anyone can tell me what the numbers mean i would be grateful. Regards Chiefy.

Hi Keith,

I've just had a look at our two MK25s and MK20. None have numbers stamped on the backplate. All three have 'Villiers Made in England' on the back and the following around the rim V827/2 M1557C M1559 M1560. Guessing these are maybe foundry pattern numbers or Villiers part numbers - though they don't match any info we have.
I'm sure some more knowledgeable member will shed some light.

Hi Paul, I don't think they are pattern numbers these are already cast on the plate and are ME1560 and1561,theses numbers are stamped on not cast,on the back of the plate it says The V Engine but not Villiers,Best Regards Keith.

Hi Keith,

You could try asking, kevjhnsn he did answer a post in engine dating ref the dating of villiers engines. Engine dating is done by numbers on flywheel.

On some of the cowlings by the spark plug hole there could be a date stamp, only found when paint is completely stripped. Also there is ment to be a date stamp on the head by the plug hole

If you have The V engine stamped on your back plate and have the villiers logo on the cowling and sump you could have an engine that is not all original which would make it hard to really date it, as the V Engine was made during the war so that if the enemy got hold of one they did not know where they came from, you could of course have one that was made after the war and they used what parts were available or left over from the war.
Image of stamp

Dead right Rich - have seen similar comments before. Maybe Kev can give us some of his expert knowledge. We've seen the the AJH stamp on quite few engines - never been clear on the origin.

Hi Rich, Thanks for your reply I have had another look at the engine;I have cleaned up and examined the brass flywheel there are no numbers on the flywheel only a arrow which points away from the crankcase toward the rope pulley, had a look at top cowling can't see any numbers round where the plug comes through riveted to the top is a brass plate 2 5/16th long(85mm)x1 3/8th (35mm) it says the V engine No 502-6457 Mark 25 also another plate of the same size as above and that says the VILLIERS engineering co.ltd. Wolverhampton.Eng.(the no 502 on engine no is the same as the 502-34 stamped on the armature plate and I would say that it is hand stamped,also the starter pulley cover(which is missing)is Approx 9 3/4" diameter on my other MK25 it measures 8 3/4" diameter,I havn't found any numbers stamped elsewhere if I do I will post you. I Don't Know wether this helps or not.Best Regards Keith.

HI Paul, I have posted a reply to Rich about what i have found so far Best Wishes Keith.

HI Rich,I dismantled the flywheel of a incomplete MK 20 looking to see what the coil was like i also cleaned up the flywheel to look for any engine numbers and can't find any only a arrow pointing toward the starter pulley,I now have 2 flywheels on the bench and can't find any numbers , is this usual or am just not seeing any, everyone says engine no & dating is done from the flywheel,!!!.best regards Keith.

Hi Keith,

On my Mk 20 and both my Mk 25s have these numbers on flywheel, so I am not sure where your ident nos could be,
have you tried Kev yet as he knows more than most of us ref Villiers, I'm afraid my knowledge on engines is still at the
beginners stage as only got into restoring early this year and have learnt as I go along but have had plenty of help from other
members on here. As I said get hold of Kev. I have image of where numbers are on the flywheel.

Hi Rich,Thanks for that I definitely don't have marks on my 2 flywheels as per your image,I will attempt to get hold of Kev,I don't have photos and if I did I would not know how to get them on the forum,I really must get up to speed with the computer one of these days . Best Regards Keith.