I have been searching for an answer to these question, but have not been able to find a definite answer.

I have a 1971 280SE, with a straight six engine.
I have the following vin, engine stamp, and head stamp numbers.

• Cylinder head stamp # 130 016 08 01 280SE/A
• Engine # 130 980 12 053213
• Vin # 108 018 12 071273

I was told that in 1971, there is an early model and late model 280SE
I was told that I cannot use an "early" head with a late model block.
I was also told that there are 2 types of late model heads.

Question:
1. How do I differentiate between early and late models using the cylinder head stamp #? I have found a few engines for sale but with a different cylinder head stamp than mine so did not know if I could use them.

I found the following engines for sale but not sure how to differentiate between early and late. Can someone please help me figure this out?

1st engine:
Head 130 016 3301 280 SE/A
130 980 1207 0009

2nd engine:
Head 130 016 08 07 280 SE/A
130 980 120 34179

2. Will an engine from an early model 280SE engine fit and work with a late model transmission? or are there fitment issues? Will any of the engines above work with mine?

You can swap a whole M130E engine w/o trouble. There is an early/late transmission cut-over where the drive shaft coupling changed. Also, you'll find a 1968 motor has a different camshaft pedestal (1mm height difference).

As for the head swap, go by the head gasket cut-off. Going by a quick google search, the early one is
> Head Gasket Set, 280SE M130.980-10 up to 012487 M130.980-12 up to 026281

The late one is
> Head Gasket Set, 280SE M130.980-10 from 012488 M130.980-12 from 026282

BTW, check the compression ratio of the head (the e+number on the line under the part number). All things being equal, you might want an e9.5 rather than an e8.0.

HTH -CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Use the chart on this page to determine which head you can use:

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Engine/CylinderHead

The head and block is different on the late model 280SE. I got that wrong once and put a late model head gasket in an early engine. It ran OK for about a half hour and then the oil pan filled up with water after the head gasket burned through.

This is why I always start a fresh rebuild using only water as a coolant until I'm sure everything is OK. If you have external leaks water will clean up or evaporate and if you have an internal leak it won't ruin you're engine.

Forgive my ignorance here. I still don't understand how I can identify if a head is from an early or late model. The two that I mentioned earlier have different cylinder head numbers but how do I know if they are from an early or late model?

One easy way to tell is where the thermo time switch sits. On the early version it sits in a metal housing that's scewed on the side of the head. This housing sits on the spark plug side right near number 2 and 3 spark plug.
The later version doesn't have this housing and the thermo time switch is screwed directly into the cylinder head right above number 5 and 6 spark plug.

Sadesh, Are these engine numbers? 130 980 1207 0009 & 130 980 120 34179 ?

If so both of your engine numbers are greater than serial # 026282, so you have late ones.

HTH -CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Noted. Thanks.

Correct, these are engine numbers. .. since these are late ones, I can probably just buy the whole engine but just use the head. My block was still in good shape.

Or just use the used engine until it needs a rebuild. -CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/