E-Type Engine Number Mystery

[DHillman]

I have a 1968 LHD E-Type Series 1.5 OTS chassis No. 1E16140.
The data plate says the engine No. is 7E-14741-9 but the engine No . on the cylinder head is VS 1630-9.
The engine block is stamped 4.2 and the coolant expansion tank is on the firewall.
It has 3 SU carbs and the water rails that look like the ones on a 3.8 engine.
Does anyone know the approximate date of this engine?
Thanks for your help.

[abowie]

A VS prefix head is off an XK150S.

Your engine block should have a number stamped on the boss on the carb side where the oil pressure sensor is installed.

[mgcjag]

If your engine number isnt in the position that Andrew mentions above then it could be on the engine flang where it mates to the bellhouseing just behind the dipstick...post some photos of your block it could help us identify it......also no info on your car number on xkedata..Steve

[dlgis]

Here’s a pic of the position referred to by Andrew. On the horizontal area by the oil filter housing.

[DHillman]

Thanks very much for all your comments and suggestions.
After much de-greasing I confirmed that the block is the same number as the number on the data plate.
So, it is only the head that is not original.
Perhaps it was changed when the 3 SU carbs were fitted in place of the 2 Strombergs.
When I purchased the car the seller also included the manifold with the Strombergs.