HE and ESS engine numbers

[Dolly-Bolt]

Good afternoon fellow enthusiasts!

Just a curious question, a friend of mine has recently acquired a sprint engine and after looking for the number to gauge the age I noticed it had the letters ESS on the end, the full number: VA2899ESS suggests it's early to me, so was ESS the standard letters which followed until 1976? Or does it mean it's a slightly different built engine? As I've only ever come across HE on the end you see.

Only curious as I say,

Many thanks!

[Hamster]

Engine Supplied Separately

[TrustNo1]

Engine Supplied Separately

John, Is that a guess or fact?

[zombeh]

Google suggests it's "Supplied [as] Spare [part]" whatever it stands for it's a new engine that was supplied by the factory as a replacement part.

[MIG Wielder]

My 1850 has no sign of an engine number in the usual place but on the top face of the cylinder block by the timing chain is an " SS. " number. I understood that this was a "Service spare" engine , and knowing SWK's development history I find it quite reasonable.
Piccy herewith.
Tony.

[Steve28]

My toledo has a 1360 herald engine in with an ess engine number

[Dolly-Bolt]

Ahh, well thanks gents!

Rather hoping it meant it was built by a mad tuning company and it would have +200bhp readily available, but oh well, wishful thinking!